One of the most common ways to maintain your trees is through pruning. In the wild, trees survive and even thrive with natural pruning. However, those that are in man-made landscapes often need extra help. Pruning ensures that trees will be able to maintain their structural integrity while also being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. There is much more to pruning than chopping off a few limbs and leaves. When pruning is done improperly, it can result in permanent damage or even tree death.
Pruning Techniques
When it comes to tree pruning there are two basic techniques that we use here at Five Star Tree Services– Topping and Pollarding. Each method has its own advantages and works for different types of tress and locations.
Pollarding Pruning
The Pollarding method of pruning is an effective way to trim trees that helps manage the size and shape of the tree when it is matured. Landowners who prefer a uniform landscape or ball-shaped canopies tend to use this pruning method most often. Trees that tend to grow larger than a designated area can also be managed by the use of Pollarding. Space restrictions, power line limitations or any other issue can prevent a tree from being allowed to grow freely.
Pollarding pruning cuts off the central leader on the tree while also restricting lateral branches to within the same spaces as the tree crown. The lowest branch will be kept at a steady six feet above the ground to prevent animals from grazing. Most often, this form of pruning is completed during a tree’s dormant cycle in the winter or at the start of spring.
Topping Pruning
Topping is when the entire top part of a tree is cut off. This includes trunks and branches at the top of a tree while leaving weaker lateral branches intact. Topping should be done with caution because not all tree species are able to survive this practice. Many people assume that topping allows a tree to absorb more sunlight but in actuality, it can cause scalding and tree death. Another common assumption is that topping encourages growth, but in actuality the sudden growth is a tree’s automatic response to extreme trauma.
Which Method Is Best?
When it comes time to choose which pruning method is best, the majority of landowners prefer to use Pollard pruning. This is mainly due to the minimal amount of damage caused to the tree and the speed with which the tree will re-grow. Pollarding also helps keep most trees safe from disease during the pruning process while Topping can weaken the tree to the point of death.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
Pruning your trees is an important part of their care. Instead of listening to local opinions it is always best to seek the advice and services of a professional arborist. Here at Five Star Tree Services, we are dedicated to helping you care for your trees in the healthiest way possible. If you are in need of advice or if you would like to schedule a professional Richmond Hill tree trimming service, give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today.