High Point Tree Trimming
I have found three simple reasons why we prune trees and shrubs . The 1st is to strengthen the appearance of a tree ; the second is to improve the healthiness of a tree ; and the last but not least is to make a tree more wind tolerant .
If you like a tree to be really thick , impenetrable and with no obvious branches , then you've come to the wrong place . In fact I think I have just given a description for a bush . In my opinion a tree's full beauty is only available when the structure of the branches is visible . Trees simply look better to me when they are evenly thinned out . Another factor is the general shape or silhouette of the tree . If some branches stick up like Alfalfa's rooster tail , this probably diminishes the aesthetic appeal . Most trees have a mind of their own . When a tree has departed from a symmetrical look it is often preferable to work with what you have instead of trying vainly to make it more evenly shaped . In a bonsai garden you will find both symmetrical and asymmetrical trees . So thinning can improve the appeal of a tree and some general shaping may additionally help at times .
As far as its health goes , a tree will reap the benefits of the removal of dead branches as these attract a myriad of wood-eating insects and fungi . The other health-related issue is that of crossing branches . When branches cross and rub together it not only interrupts the aesthetic flow of the tree's scaffolding but also causes wounds to form in the bark . These open wounds are very attractive to pests . It is best and least expensive to remove crossing branches when they are small-- as each of the crossing branches enlarge over time , so does the problem .
Where we live in the Greensboro area there are occasional summer storms called micro-bursts . Wow , they can wreak some havoc ! As far as I'm concerned , the principle purposes of keeping a tree thinned out is to help it weather a storm . If you can see quite a bit of daylight through a tree's foliage then it's a good bet that the wind can slip through without knocking it over . A tree that is too thick is like a boat with too much sail up in high winds--it will have a greater chance of suffering a "knockdown ."
We prune a tree to maximize the way it looks , improve its health , or make it more storm resistant . If your tree looks good , has no crossing or dead branches , and is not overly thick , then you might be able to wait a year or two before working with an arborist . I hope that this article will help you analyze the needs of your trees and leave you ready to make knowledgeable decisions for their care .
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