Common Tree Trimming & Pruning Mistakes

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Have you noticed a tree on your property that you believe is suffering from improper trimming? Maybe you took a gamble by “going out on a limb” and pruning a tree on your property. You might have even chosen to work with a tree service that employed incorrect methods of pruning and trimming. This occurs a lot more frequently than it ought to. Fortunately, the specialists from Joliet Tree Services can analyze the outcomes and damage and offer guidance on the best course of action for your tree.

Incorrect trimming and pruning can have a negative impact on a tree’s general health and, in certain situations, can turn a tree into a hazard. Trimming and pruning are essential parts of tree care and maintenance. The best option is to hire a certified arborist-led tree service company, but we recognize that some homeowners prefer to tackle tree trimming and pruning on their own or even hired a Joliet, Illinois company they believed was knowledgeable only to learn otherwise.

3 Typical Errors in Tree Trimming

1. Trimming any branch, in general – You examine the tree, identifying the branches that seem thin and dying, and you come to the conclusion that you should cut those. However, trimming and pruning have a scientific basis. When deciding which branch or limb to cut, you should be knowledgeable about:

– The branch’s location – The precise amount to clip away

– How to trim – the type of branch to use, the angle of the cut, and what equipment to use and how to cut

By aiming at the incorrect branch or timing your pruning, you run the risk of unintentionally harming the health of the tree. An expert tree care business can evaluate the tree and know just what has to be done. Cutting the wrong branch or limb at the wrong time might upset the balance of the tree and harm its capacity to provide food. Additionally, a poor cut might harm the tree, leaving it open to infection or disease.

2. Over-Trimming – It’s ideal to remove 5–10% of all limbs that produce foliage. Going above that limit could drastically impede the tree’s capacity to develop, recover, absorb sunshine, and generate food. Additionally, it may result in limb or branch death, which not only looks ugly but may also pose a dangerous and expensive risk. A dead branch is dangerous because it could fall and harm anything in its path, including a person, a vehicle, or a structure.

3. Tree Topping – To put it simply, tree topping is a technique or approach performed by inexperienced tree service businesses and it hurts trees. It’s a technique that will leave the tree with eye sores and stubby branches and indiscriminately pluck branches from the summit. Branch decay will occur and be encouraged when branches are cut without consideration for the health of the tree or surrounding lateral systems. The damage may be so bad that the tree will definitely die. Crown reduction and tree topping are two completely separate processes. In order to reduce the height of the tree, significant branches that are sick, dead, or dying must be removed. Normally, this is only taken into account when there has been significant storm damage, the tree is sick and experiencing dieback, or the branches are in close proximity to electricity lines.

We are aware that finding a business in Joliet, Illinois that you can rely on to cut, trim, or remove trees from your home or commercial property can be challenging. Visit our website to learn more about our many services, 5-star Google reviews, and A+ BBB rating. If you have any inquiries or would like to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.