Trimming Mistakes: Learn About The 4 Most Common You Shouldn't Make
Trees play a crucial role in beautifying your home. However, if you want them to remain in great shape for a long time, you should trim them regularly. You must understand that it is important not to overlook this maintenance practice. This is because doing so compromises your tree's health and puts your property at risk of damage. In addition, while tree trimming may seem simple, it's advisable to use the help of an experienced professional. If you plan to do it yourself, here are some mistakes you will likely make.
Not Making the Right Cuts
The cuts you make while trimming your tree leave a wound that heals over time. That said, you will likely make cuts that compromise your tree if you don't have the necessary tools and experience. In such a case, the wounds on the branches won't seal, causing the branch to fail. As such, you should know that one of the improper cuts you shouldn't make includes cutting the branches too far or too close to the trunk.
Trimming Your Tree at The Wrong Time
When trimming your tree, ensure that you do it at the right time. For instance, you want to avoid trimming when insects are most active. By doing this, the wounds from your cut will attract an infestation and spread diseases.
More so, trimming at the wrong time of the year will leave you with a tree that heals slowly, which can affect growth. On the other hand, an expert will advise on the best time for trimming, depending on your tree species. As such, there will be less damage to your trees, and they will thrive through the seasons.
Failing To Use the Right Trimming Tools
You may be tempted to use any tool you find when trimming your branches, but this is something you should avoid. You must understand that taking such a step can compromise your tree's health. As such, before you trim the trees, ensure that the shears you use are designed for tree trimming. Additionally, they need to be sharp, as this guarantees a clean cut. Alternatively, using dull shears will take several attempts to cut the branches, which creates a large wound that takes time to heal. In most cases, this causes significant damage to your tree.
Failing to Know the Branch to Cut
Before trimming your tree, it's crucial to know the angle you're to cut and how much to cut. If you're unsure about these two aspects, seek advice from a tree care expert. As a rule of thumb, you should trim diseased branches or those growing down or inwards. If you cut the wrong branch, you'll leave your tree exposed to infection.
Tree trimming plays a huge role in improving your home's curb appeal. So, if you want to keep it in great shape for a long time, avoid the trimming mistakes mentioned above by seeking the help of an experienced arborist.