Homeowners FAQs: maintenance

A Pruned Tree Is A Healthier Tree

More than likely, when you bought or rented your current home, the yard was immaculate, with a nicely manicured yard and trimmed shrubs and trees. While you may focus regular, weekly effort on maintaining the lawn, you only need to pay attention to trees and shrubs occasionally--but they do need periodic pruning and trimming.

Allowing bushes and trees to grow "naturally" and unevenly can lead to problems down the road. An overgrown tree, for example, might eventually threaten your roof.

Here are some tips on how, when and where to prune trees and shrubs:

Prune at the proper time to assure blooming in season and to avoid rot and infection by insects. Some plants should be trimmed right after they bloom, while others should be cut back in early spring or autumn.

Use the proper tool for the size of limb you're trimming. Small branches (less than 3/8") can easily be maintained with pruning shears. Larger branches may require a bow or limb saw.

Technique is important. If the limb is heavy, make a cut on the bottom side first, then complete the cut from the top. This will keep a heavy limb from breaking and tearing the bark from the tree, exposing it to disease and insects.

Seal exposed cuts with a pruning seal (sometimes referred to as a wound seal or tree paint) to protect the plant from rot, mold and insects.

Back