Tree pruning in Iowa is an important landscaping service that beautifies and reinforces your trees so they are able to fight off insects, diseases and inclement weather – and look wonderful doing it!
Pruning should be performed if you want a healthy tree, but it must be done properly by someone who has experience in what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from IA Tree Trimming. You may be able to prune trees safely while they are still small and developing, but you also may be doing irreparable harm to the tree.
To properly prune trees, you need to know all of the following:
- When is the best time to prune your types of trees
- How much of the tree can be trimmed at a time
- Where to cut each branch so you do not damage the tree
Removing too much off of a tree might kill it or lead to structural damage, but conservative trimming done every year benefits trees in many ways. Professional pruning helps to improve the appearance of trees, makes them stronger, removes dead or diseased portions and assists in fruit or flower production.
For the best results, pruning must be completed annually, but as trees mature, you might be able to go two years between major pruning services. Regardless of how routinely you have your trees trimmed, ensure your arborist is qualified to do the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be a problem if you call IA Tree Trimming in Iowa!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 ways to properly trim a tree so that it grows healthier and stronger every year.
Depending on the shape, species and health concerns of your trees, one pruning method might be more effective than another, but each technique has distinct benefits to consider.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is typical for older, overgrown trees in Iowa. This method eliminates weak branches within the crown to improve sunlight and air flow through the crown. Air flow is important for disease prevention.
This tree pruning method also removes branches that are touching so they no longer rub against each other and break or create weakened areas that can be an access point for insects and pests. Branches that grow at strange angles are almost always removed during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree pruning method removes branches and limbs at the lowest part of the crown so limbs start higher up on the trunk. Allowing low branches to get too big makes them difficult to remove, and they can pull nutrients away from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weaker tree.
There are several reasons you might want to raise the crown of a tree. Many times, it is done to clear the line of sight for automobiles and pedestrians, but it can be done to make space for landscaping underneath the tree.
It is a very common technique for large trees that are close to homes and other buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction reduces the total size of the crown from its outer edges. It shortens branches vertically and horizontally to keep the tree at a certain size. By lowering the size of the crown, you can eliminate the need to chop down the tree because it will no longer come into contact with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even when the tree isn’t near structures like these, crown reduction will make the tree look neater because it eliminates irregular growth. This is a smart solution for trees that are various ages but you want to look consistent.
Crown Cleaning
Sometimes referred to as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive pruning method that eliminates dead, broken or diseased limbs so that the rest of the tree may continue to grow normally. These branches can only create problems later.
Crown cleaning makes the tree look a lot better, and it prevents limbs from rubbing together. Plus it is a safety practice that reduces the chance of branches falling, since healthy branches rarely fall.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an advanced pruning technique used on trees that were significantly damaged (either by pests or weather). It should only be done by an experienced arborist who knows how the tree is going to grow over time and roughly how long it’s restoration is going to take.
Unlike other tree pruning services, crown restoration happens over a longer time period with conservative pruning that reshapes the tree. Your arborist should have a plan to restore the tree, but also must be flexible as the tree grows and reshapes on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth.
Vista Pruning
If you are striving for trees to increase the beauty of your landscaping, you are probably interested in vista pruning. The intent of vista pruning is to help to make the tree more aesthetically pleasing from a particular vantage point.
It consists of many tree trimming techniques including crown thinning, crown reduction and crown cleaning – anything that makes the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that a professional is not going to sacrifice the health of a tree, so the focus of vista pruning is still to maintain strong, healthy trees.
Espalier Pruning
Espaliered trees are pruned heavily to grow flat against a wall or a trellis. It is a unique style of trimming that will attract a lot of attention to your lawn. Espalier pruning should begin when the tree is young and then continued very consistently during the tree’s life span.
of espalier pruning include facilitating maximum sunlight to reach the trees, as well as making it much easier to produce fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Iowa
Tree trimming can be harmful to a tree, your lawn, and, of course, for you! IA Tree Trimming highly suggests professional tree pruning over DIY.
Besides the dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of harm to a tree if you don’t trim it correctly. Excessive pruning is one of the most common mistakes made by homeowners caring for their own trees.
Trees in Iowa that get routine care from a professionals are usually much better off, and hiring an experienced arborist from IA Tree Trimming to trim the trees on your property is a choice you won’t regret. Locate your town in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Iowa!
