Dos and Don'ts of Tree Pruning

A certified arborist can make a challenging task look like a walk in the park. When you watch your arborist perform tree maintenance, it is easy to think that he is doing a simple job, but what you don't know is that he is actually adhering to the strict standards set by the American National Standards Institute for tree pruning.

Following the standards set by ANSI distinguishes a certified arborist from an amateur. There are no shortcuts when it comes to correct tree pruning. You have to be keen on every detail, measurement, and technique to ensure you are doing the work right. If you fail to follow even a simple rule in pruning, you can cause grave damage to the tree if your arborist is unaware of what the standards by ANSI A300, think twice in hiring him.

The ANSI A300 ensures that arborists can treat and safeguard the overall welfare of the tree through pruning. Trees are living things that need proper care to thrive. An arborist should be able to help trees grow to their full potential and prevent them from causing trouble for the homeowners.

There are dos and don'ts when it comes to tree pruning, and it is essential that they are followed at all cost to keep the tree in a healthy condition. If you prune a tree that doesn't need pruning, you may be endangering its health, rather than helping it.

We have a summary of the standards for tree pruning set by the American National Standards Institute:

Pruning Dos
We have mentioned it before, and we will say it again for emphasis: Ask if your arborist knows and follows the standards set by ANSI. Be wary of companies that will answer yes, but don't know what you are talking about. It will help if you ask the name of the standard to check if they are telling the truth.

The standards set by ANSI are straightforward and clear. From the tools to be used down to the techniques to be performed, everything is discussed in ANSI A300. When giving an estimate, it is essential that the tree company follows the definitions indicated in ANSI A300. If they don't follow the outline, they may give you an inaccurate estimate.

When the process of pruning started, there is no way you can undo it. If you cause damage to it, no matter how simple or grave it is will impact the health of the tree. In most cases, if the damage is excellent, the lifespan of the tree can be affected. Cutting the tree too deeply can also attract multitudes of insects that can start the decline in the tree's health.

Further, pruning should be considered after a storm, especially if some loose limbs or branches can threaten your safety. Don't try to do it on your own because you might get yourself hurt in the process. Call a local tree service to do a full assessment of the tree. Even minor damage can cause significant troubles that is why it is better to leave the job to the experts.

Pruning Don'ts
Just because we said, your tree needs regular pruning doesn't mean your arborist has to do it every time he does his inspection. You shouldn't treat a wound that is not there, and the same applies to tree pruning. If the tree is healthy and there are no branches that need to be trimmed, leave the tree alone.

A tree on its first year of growth doesn't require pruning unless there are dead and broken branches to be removed. Also, if your tree is near a power line, it is highly recommended that you ask help from a tree expert to perform pruning safely. You shouldn't try to prune your trees just because you have a chainsaw and a ladder in the garage. Even the utilization of the equipment needs knowledge and experience, so if you don't have both, better let an arborist do it.

When pruning, it is crucial to remove branch stubs without causing damage to the core of the tree. Don't use climbing spikes because they can cause damage to the tree. Also, unlike what others think, wound paint sometimes do more harm than good. The tree has its natural way of healing, so let it take its course.

If you want to be confident that your trees are well taken care of, ask assistance from a reputable and trustworthy company in your local area. Schedule a consultation and get a free estimate for the job to be done.

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