Tree Pruning

Tree pruning

What does tree pruning involve exactly? Tree pruning is the practise of removing specific portions of a tree such as the roots, buds or branches. They may be pruned because they are dead or dying, as a result of pests, due to disease, lack of sunlight, or to redirect growth and energy. Pruning is also done for aesthetic reasons. So let’s recap…you prune a tree to :

• Remove dead branches
• Improve the shape of a tree
• Reduce risks / for safety reasons
• Increase light and air penetration to lower levels

Benefits of tree pruning

Pruning a tree provides definite benefits, and if pruning is continued throughout the life of a tree it should require less work each time its done. The benefits include :

• Development of a symmetrical form and strong structure
• Helping to keep the tree in overall good health
• Helps to maintain a single dominant leader that grows upward.
• Helps keep a tree looking uniform and in keeping with its neighbours
• Protects you and your home from injury and damage due to falling branches
• Prevent pests infestations

Tree pruning costs

Though some gardeners with adequate knowledge and experience choose to prune trees themselves, if in doubt it is always best to seek professional help. Whether you have one tree to prune, or a whole copse of them, it’s a good idea to first consider the cost of tree pruning. The average cost of pruning for a single tree depends on the tree in question and the complexity of the job. There are many factors that affect tree pruning costs :

• Location - If a tree is located near a building, power line or public area, tree pruning becomes more complex and the cost will likely increase. Also, if a tree is in a tricky spot where a tree pruner has difficulty gaining access to it, the cost will rise further.
• Size of the tree - Taller, larger trees have more branches to be pruned, which may also require more climbing work. Cut branches will need to be cleared and controlled in such a way that they do not fall far from the tree. Factors such as these will influence the price of a tree pruning job.
• Condition of the tree - The costs will also depend upon the condition of the tree in question. Older or diseased trees could be very weak and might need the use of special equipment, such as a cherry picker. In such cases, tree pruning costs could rise significantly. Healthy trees on the other hand are typically easier to work with, which will help to keep costs down.
• Waste removal - The more waste that is created, the more time and effort it takes to clear away, thereby increasing the cost. You can lower this cost by handling waste disposal yourself.
• Number of trees - The greater the number of trees to be pruned, the higher the cost of the overall job.
• Time taken - The cost per tree is calculated based on the amount of time taken to prune each tree.

5 Tree Pruning Tips

If you think you able to tackle a tree pruning job yourself, there are some important tips to consider when working :

• It is always better to remove a whole branch if you need to prune more than half of its foliage. Prune branches that cross or run against each other.
• Maintain live branches to two-thirds of the tree's height. Removing too many branches near the bottom will render the stem weak.
• Lateral branches need to be as evenly spaced as possible, and pruned to one third of the diameter of the stem that is to be removed.
• Reduce the tree crown only if absolutely necessary. As a general rule of thumb, more than one-fourth of a living crown should never be pruned in one season. If this is necessary, it could be done over the course of a few years.
• Raise the crown of a tree by pruning to provide a clear path for pedestrians.

Jobs associated with tree pruning

There are a range of tools and equipment that is required for tree pruning. These include; hand pruners, loppers and chainsaws. There are two types of basic cuts made when tree pruning :

• Heading back cut
• Thinning out cut

To stimulate the growth of flowers, fruits and branches, a portion of a growing stem is taken down to a set of desired buds, or side-branching stems. This helps to prevent wind and snow damage from long stems and branches, whilst encouraging the growth of the stem in a desired direction. Tasks that are associated with tree pruning include :

• Topping - This is mostly done to young trees and is a severe form of tree pruning. It involves the removal of the majority of branches and growths, to just a few branches or even back to the trunk.
• Reduction - This is a practise typically used to clear utility lines, and maintain the form and structure of a tree. It involves reducing the size, height and / or spread of a tree by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches, large enough to assume terminal roles.
• Thinning - This technique is used to encourage formation of new growth, fruit and flowers. Used mainly with shrubs such as roses. This practise involves the removal of an entire shoot, limb or branch at its point of origin. It removes over mature, weak, problematic and excessive growths.
• Deadheading - Involves removal of dead flowers to prolong blooming, or help new flowers to grow and prevent seeding.
• Raising - This involves removal of lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for structures and pedestrians.

Why Choose us for Tree Pruning Services?

Jurassic Tree Services can help you with pruning your trees and shrubs, as well as general care and maintenance around the garden. We have a vast amount of experience with tree pruning and can be of particular help in winter or early spring when there are many dead, diseased and incorrectly growing trees and shrubs. We’ll help you to get your garden looking healthy and tidy, with trees and shrubs of good shape that aren’t causing obstructions.

We can help to prune your :

• Climbers - By removing a quarter of the dead or diseased stems and side shoots, leaving 2 or 3 buds.
• Bushes and standard roses - By cutting back to below the graft and removing older branches, we’ll ensure your roses have a pleasing open centre, and remove all weak and dead branches.
• Deciduous and perennials shrubs - We’ll cut back all stems to provide a low, permanent framework.

Contact us today for a clean and tidy, beautiful garden with trees and shrubs that are pruned to perfection.