Tree trimming is when overgrown or dead branches are removed from a tree in order to improve its appearance, making it appear shapely and well-groomed. Trimming alleviates excessively dense bushes that block essential sunlight and moisture from reaching your landscape.

Tree pruning is the process of removing weak and diseased tree limbs in order to maintain it strong and healthy. Proper pruning removes potential safety hazards due to falling branches and adds to your yard’s aesthetic, allowing you to control tree shapes and sizes.

Pruning is very important to all trees and plants. Proper pruning can significantly improve your tree’s appearance and overall health. It also stimulates good growth. By removing weak and diseased limbs, you are helping your trees to not only avoid breakages, but also to develop sturdy and structurally sound frames.

If possible, avoid trimming oak trees during the summer to reduce the chance of Oak wilt. Oak wilt is a fungal disease that has resulted in thousands of dead trees throughout the U.S. Symptoms of oak wilt may start within a few weeks and tree death can occur within several months. A tree with open pruning wounds is vulnerable to fungal diseases and summer months are very common for pests and other tree diseases.

Tree preservation is something we take very seriously and consider that pruning techniques are different from tree to tree. If your oak tree is under 5 years old, it is recommended that you only trim dead wood or broken branches.

Oak trees 5 years or older can be pruned and trimmed to a certain shape, but you must remove branches that have started growing towards the center of the tree. Branches that rub against each other start creating wounds and this can make your trees vulnerable to disease.

The major cause of dead and hazardous trees is improper pruning and lack of maintenance. Trees must be pruned periodically to improve their safety, health, and value.

Not removing dead or broken wood from your trees can represent a safety hazard in the event of high winds or storms. Fallen tree branches can cause serious damage to your personal property.

When dead or decaying wood is not properly trimmed from a tree, it may attract woodboring insects, also known as beetles, which will weaken the tree and eventually cause it to fall.

It is recommended to start trimming your trees at a young age when branches are less than 3” thick. During the first five years of a tree, periodic tree trimming, of no more than 25% of the tree’s live wood, can lead to healthy and strong branches that grow in the right direction.

For mature trees, it is important to remove all dead or diseased wood at least once a year. It is recommended to prune no more than 20% of the tree’s live wood.

It is important to have a professional tree service company or urban forester inspect your trees once a year to determine if they are due for trimming, and also provide you with insights on different tree care techniques that can prevent long-term damage or disease.

It is only necessary to trim broad-leaf trees and conifers. Unlike broad-leaf trees, conifers don’t have canopies to thin, but you should trim them to control their outward growth and to get rid of diseased limbs. 

 Palm trees don’t need to be trimmed, although they do appreciate a bit of care now and again. You can remove coconuts, large seeds, and brown fronds, but they are otherwise very low maintenance.