Tree Tips

Fall is the Time to Prune

You may think that the approach of the end of the growing season means you can stop worrying about the trees in your landscape.  Think again!

Fall is one of the best times to examine the safety and health of your trees. Why?

1. With the leaves off, cracks, defects and deadwood are easier to see.
2. With the winter storms approaching, hazards should be removed now – before they damage property.

Pruning is much more than the simple act of sawing off limbs.  Proper pruning is an art based on scientific principles of plant physiology.  At its most basic level, pruning trees involves removing damaged, dead or structurally weak limbs, which will improve a tree’s health and reduce the chances of personal or property damage caused by falling limbs. 

Certified arborists have the capability to make the tree safer and more attractive by pruning live growth as well.  Proper pruning encourages growth, increases flower and fruit production, improves plant health, repairs damage and helps add aesthetic appeal to a tree.  Pruning at the right time and in the right way is critical, since it is possible to kill a tree through neglect or over-pruning.