Autumn is a great time to prune your trees: with the leaves gone and the trunk and branches visible, it’s easier to see what needs to be done. But before you get started , be sure to review these important tips:
- Make a plan of what you want to prune and stick to it. Is it because the branches are too close to your house? Do you want to thin out the foliage at the crown? Is there a dead branch to remove? Pruning won’t do much to improve your tree’s health, but it does help in managing your space and keeping your property safe.
- Make sure your tools are properly sharpened and disinfected. Take off only what needs to be removed, and leave the original shape and esthetic intact. Professionals never trim off more than 20% of a tree’s foliage (or healthy branches).
- All cuts should be at the intersection of a branch or just above a bud, never in the middle of the branch.
- Your best course of action is to call upon the service of an expert.