Proper pruning techniques are vital for a healthy tree.

Pruning is one of the most important cultural practices for maintaining woody plants and trees. It is a mixture of both the art and science. Art in making the pruning cuts properly, and science in knowing how and when to prune for maximum benefits to the tree.

When making a cut into a limb, you want to make sure you’re not damaging the collar tissue or bark ridge of the limb so that the tree heals properly. The 2 areas of the limb, called the bark ridge at the junction of the two limbs, and the branch collar, a ring a slightly, a raised tissue where the latter of branches join the main limb, its function is to close off the wounds between the plant and the pruning cut. For the fastest healing, prune close to the main branch but with out injuring the bark ridge or the branch collar areas. But leaving a stub will slow healing and invite to decay.

In the winter months we normally don’t think about pruning trees. But this is one of the best times to prune. A few reasons why this is the best time are listed below. If your trees are in need of this service please contact me.

1. Better growth response- pruning while the tree is dormant allows the tree to direct it’s sap to the proper branches.

2. Disease management- pruning during the winter months reduces the chance of spreading diseases through the pruning cuts.

3. Visible branches- winter pruning allows me to view of the branches without the leaves blocking you view. This allows me to make better decisions when selecting which branches to remove.