You see those branches out there? Yep, those ones. The one’s hanging out over the road. It’s called trimming and it’s more important than you think! We’ve all been there. You’re traveling or just too busy with work to really take notice of trivial things like tree branches and then…BAM! All of a sudden your tree looks like it had a run in with a giant bag of fertilizer and went all King-Kong on your yard! The good news is, there are things you can do to fix this twiggy situation. We’re going to go over why trimming your tree is important aesthetically as well as healthy for your tree, tips and tricks on how to correctly trim your tree (if you plan on doing it yourself), and the negative effects of improper care on your lawn.
So, let’s get this ball rolling. Why is it important to trim your trees? The three part answer is: it makes them pretty, it makes them healthy, and it makes them safe. Let start with safety. Not usually a thing you think of when you’re gazing out your window at your stoic oak or maple, but safety plays a big part in not only the trimming process but the overall safety of the area around your home. Trimming back dead branches or useless “shooters” lessens the potential fire danger should your tree or any structures nearby catch fire for one. Another safety concern is debris on the ground. Not only can this be potentially dangerous for pedestrians, but if left unattended for long periods of time, dead plant matter can mold and rot which attracts insects. This can also happen within the tree itself. If dead matter if left untrimmed the decaying material can attract wood boring insects which will weaken the tree and eventually cause it to fall.
Proper trimming of trees promotes health beyond that of just safety. You’ve heard the phrase: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? Better to prevent any safety hazards by promoting healthy tree growth. By removing any dead matter you are making room for the tree to grow new, healthy branches and leaves, and instead of using its resources to combat disease and pests, it can now develop a healthier root system.
Beyond health and safety, the one aspect most people will notice first is the outward appearance of a nicely trimmed tree. Keeping your trees somewhat uniform in size by trimming is an easy way to develop pleasing aesthetics. Anytime a tree dominates the landscaping it can be a tricky fix. If you groom your lawn and plants well, no matter the size or species of the tree, your yard will be appealing visually. By removing rotting leaves, dead shoots, and unhealthy branches you are able to showcase a healthy, handsome, lawn.