How Often Should You Have Your Trees Trimmed?

With proper pruning and trimming, trees get the help they need to grow beautiful, healthy, and strong. Pruning includes removing dead or diseased parts, while trimming involves cutting a significant portion to encourage tree growth. However, these processes must be done at the right time to avoid any health issues or damage to the tree.

In this article, we will answer questions about trimming to help you enjoy your trees for years.

Pruning is done as often as trimming, and the frequency depends on the type of tree. You'll need the help of a skilled arborist to determine if your tree needs to be trimmed every year. However, these are some general guidelines to follow:

• Almost all young trees should be trimmed every two to three years.
• A majority of mature trees can be pruned every three to five years.
• Evergreen trees can go many years without pruning.
• Fruit trees can be trimmed yearly to help produce larger and better quality fruit.
  

You can have your trees trimmed in the spring, summer, and fall as needed, but late winter is typically the best time to do it. Most trees are dormant during the colder season, making them less susceptible to infection from disease and insects. They will also heal faster and be ready to bloom in time for spring.

Removing more than 30% of live tissue from a tree can be damaging and result in disease or pest infestation. You shouldn't trim a tree further if around 30% of its foliage was removed in a year, either by storm damage or pruning. Trimming a tree immediately after new leaves have sprouted is also damaging, as it can severely reduce the energy it can store over winter.

In our culture of do-it-yourself, we have a tendency to take on every imaginable task independently. However, hiring a qualified arborist is the best and safest way to care for your trees. Doing the work on your own can be dangerous as you risk injury from falling limbs and spreading insects or disease to healthy trees. Let professional tree trimmers handle the job while you stay safe indoors.

We are ready to help you with your pruning and trimming needs. Our arborist will inspect your tree and determine if immediate service is needed to maintain its health. Get in touch with our team now to begin improving the trees on your property.