Having trees around your home can provide a wide range of benefits. You can save up to 12% on your energy bill and increase your home’s value between three and fifteen percent. But if you want to have trees, you need to properly care for them.
One of the most important steps you can take for your trees is making sure they are trimmed if you want to encourage growth. Let’s take a look at why it’s important and when to trim trees on your property.
Why Is Seasonal Trimming Important for Growth?
Trimming your trees in order to encourage growth might seem a little counterintuitive. However, tree trimming is an important part of tree maintenance. Trimming your trees allows them to have better access to sunlight and air. This improves photosynthesis and encourages growth.
In addition, when you remove dead branches, you can help prevent pathogens and infections from gaining access to your tree. This can help prevent your tree from becoming weakened which can lead to the tree’s death or a decrease in growth.
What Determines When to Trim Trees?
The best time to trim trees depends mostly on the type of tree you are working with and the reason you want to trim it. You want to make sure the tree has the best chance of recovery and protection from disease.
If you want to encourage growth, it is best to trim trees in the winter when you are working with dormant trees. This will also help them to grow even more in the spring. You should wait until after the coldest part of the winter has passed before trimming your trees.
You should avoid trimming your trees during the fall. At this time, fungi and diseases can spread fast and wounds take a longer time to heal.
Why Are Certain Seasons Better Than Others?
Trimming your trees during winter offers certain benefits. Trimming wounds will heal faster during winter since the tree is dormant.
The winter also harbors less of a chance of pests and disease. Plus, since the leaves are gone from deciduous trees, they are easier to work on. Tree trimming can be less expensive since many tree services have less work going on.
While heavy trimming is best left for the winter, there is some pruning that can be done during the summer. You can trim a tree in the summer to limit its growth. Or you can remove any dead, diseased, or risky branches.
Summer can also be a good time to lightly prune evergreen trees as well as sappy hardwoods. You can also trim fruit trees during the summer, but be aware that it may cause the tree to produce less fruit.
How Often Should You Trim Your Trees?
The age, type, size, and health of your trees will determine how often you need to trim them. You need to trim adult trees less than younger trees.
Some young trees only need to be pruned every two to three years. Mature trees may need to be trimmed every three to five years, or even less frequently. However, fruit trees should be trimmed every winter in order to encourage them to produce more fruit.
Keep Up With Your Tree Care
Trimming your trees every so often can keep them healthier and encourage them to grow more. It’s important that you figure out when to trim trees based on the type of tree and the reasons you want to trim them.
Request a free estimate from Ray’s Tree Service to keep your trees growing strong.
