Understanding The 4 Tree Pruning Techniques

Posted on: 29 August 2022

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Did you know that there are different tree pruning techniques? All tree pruning methods keep your trees healthy and improve their aesthetic values. However, there are various techniques depending on your reasons for pruning. Here is a guide to help you understand the four common pruning techniques.

Clean Pruning

This is a form of selective pruning that removes parts of a tree that are either diseased, broken, or dead. For example, if the tree in your compound has a diseased branch that doesn't seem to heal, you need clean pruning to remove the dead branch.

Clean pruning helps reduce the risk of damage if the dead, diseased, or weak branch falls. When there are strong winds, weak tree parts are more likely to fall and cause extensive damage. Clean pruning also avoids transferring diseases and pests from the diseased branch to other tree parts. This technique is only suitable for mature trees.

Raise Pruning

While trees offer numerous advantages, including shade and a better landscape, they sometimes get in the way of things. For example, a tree by the roadside could make it hard for pedestrians to walk by. Raise pruning is done to provide vertical clearance. It is the best technique when you want to clear the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance, for example, for road signs or pedestrians.

Thin Pruning

This is the most common technique for pruning, and it aims to reduce the thickness of tree branches. During the process, the pruner will cut the branches at the edges to reduce tree density. The tree can allow sunlight through the branches with fewer branches, and air will circulate better.

When trees grow thick and form a canopy, the branches make it hard for air to circulate inside. The dense branches also make it difficult for sunlight to pass through. So, the inner branches of the tree are susceptible to rot, extending to other parts of the tree. Thin pruning helps keep the tree healthy and nourished.

Reduce Pruning

It is a pruning technique that helps reduce the height or spread of a tree. You might want to reduce the height and spread for utility line clearance, lower the chances of failure, or clear the tree from growing into buildings and other structures. However, you need to be careful with reducing pruning since not all species can thrive after reduced pruning. Therefore, consult a tree pruning service for recommendations before proceeding with the pruning.

Understanding your end goal for pruning can help you identify the right tree pruning technique. Remember to get professional tree pruning services to avoid causing more harm to the tree.