Professional tree trimming services can offer more value than simply hiring a handyman with a chainsaw. Not only are these professionals more experienced at what they're doing, but they have the knowledge and expertise to prune out tree branches that need to be removed and leave the important ones.
Here are some rookie errors you can avoid by choosing professional tree trimming.
1. Tearing bark
If a branch is removed without proper technique, including careful cuts from both below and above, the branch could fall from its own weight before the chainsaw cuts all the way through the bark on the bottom side of the branch. This could result in pulling a long strip of bark off of the tree's trunk.
Not only can missing bark look unsightly, but it can reduce the tree's ability to transfer water and nutrients up the trunk to the branches. In addition, the gaping wound can be like throwing out a welcome mat for fungi, diseases, and pests.
2. Damaging branch collar
A tree's defenses against disease include a mechanism that helps to heal a cut-off branch. The tree uses a ring of raised tissue around the branch (called the branch collar) to quickly form a callus after branch removal.
If an inexperienced trimmer cuts the branch flush with the tree, the branch collar may be damaged or removed entirely. In this scenario, the tree will be unable to callus over the wound efficiently, leaving it open to disease and rot.
3. Making unsound cuts
A tree that's structurally sound may live longer and stay healthier since it will lose fewer branches to storms and be less likely to split or fall over. So structurally sound pruning is very important. An inexperienced worker may not know which pruning techniques are needed for a structurally sound tree.
An experienced professional can avoid structurally unsound pruning habits (such as lion's tailing) that could leave tree branches top-heavy and weak.
4. Altering growth habits
An inexperienced tree trimmer could prune the tree too severely, triggering the growth of unsightly watersprouts. Or they could accidentally cut off the tree's growing flower buds or (if applicable) fruiting spurs, causing the tree to grow only leaves that year instead of flowers and fruit. Experienced professionals can avoid these problems.
5. Damaging landscaping
A tree trimming job may occasion some damage to the lawn, especially if the ground is extremely wet or heavy equipment is needed. An inexperienced worker may not know how to avoid or mitigate damage to landscaping around the tree.
A professional trimmer can lay down plywood to minimize any damage, and they'll know which landscape features (such as statues) will need to be moved so they won't be damaged.
As you can see, professional tree trimming offers more than just great-looking trees. Professional trimming can help avoid issues such as unsound pruning cuts and damage to the tree or other landscaping that you could incur if you let a non-professional work on your trees.
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