6 Tips on pruning, cutting and pruning overgrown branches

Trees can complement homes and commercial properties very well. However, they need to be maintained properly or you risk having them grow extensively. Overgrown branches are the most common problem property owners have with trees but the good news is that there are ways around it.

Overgrown branches might not seem like a problem at first. However, it can eventually reach powerlines and your home. These can be a fire hazard on your property if not taken care of.

With proper maintenance, tree branches are never going to be a problem in your home. Here are a few important tips to consider when pruning, cutting, or trimming overgrown branches.

1. Call On The Pros

This is a complex and sometimes dangerous job. There’s a reason why services like ours at Henshaws Tree Service exists and that’s to serve people like you.

Our personnel are professionally and well-equipped with the right tools to make sure that your tree gets the treatment it deserves. In most cases, people are putting themselves at great risk by doing the job themselves without the proper safety gear and pruning equipment.

If you have a tall tree that needs to be pruned and you don’t have the equipment, it’s best to call on the pros for help. This is to ensure that you don’t put yourself in danger while going through this necessary process.

2. Get The Proper Gear

You don’t need a chainsaw to trim an overgrown branch. What you do need are some brand new pruning shears. These are basically large and sharp scissors that will let you cut through branches with ease. Don’t trim your trees with bad tools because it can be dangerous to do so.

Pruners come in various forms. For far-off branches, opt for extendable pruning tools. There are some automatic pruning tools that function similarly to a chainsaw. These are arguably better but they are also more expensive as well.

• 

You should also get some heavy-duty gardening gloves. These give you a tighter grip on your tools. Additionally, they make sure that your hands don’t hurt as you’re trimming the tree. Pruning without the right gloves can lead to blisters and other hand injuries.

3. Proper Way To Prune

The biggest mistake people make when trimming a tree is thinking that it’s as easy as cutting off the branch. However, there’s a proper way to trim a tree. The proper method guarantees that your tree is still going to be healthy and the branches are going to grow properly in the future.

To trim the branch, look for the bud where it comes out. Cut the branch 2-inches away from that bud. Make sure to cut at a 45-degree angle. This prevents water damage and tree damage. With the right tools, the process is going to be a lot easier.

Aside from protecting the tree from damage, cutting at a 45-degree angle also ensures that the branch will grow properly. If you cut it straight, the branch will grow in a straight direction which means it can once again reach obstructions in its way.

4. Best Time To Prune A Tree

In truth, you can prune a tree whenever you want to. However, if you want them to grow better, it’s best to prune them when they are most dormant. In this case, that would be during winter.

This is a good season to prune trees because it encourages growth once the season becomes warmer. Once autumn hits, the leaves will begin to fall off, thus making it easier for you to detect which branches need to be cut down to size.

5. What Not To Cut

Generally, you’d want to avoid branches that are between 5 to 10 centimetres. Doing so might be bad for the health of your tree. Only cut branches of this size unless it’s really necessary.

You should focus on trimming only the branches that are less than five centimetres in diameter as these are easier to cut. They won’t also cause any downsides to the overall health of your tree.

6. What To Cut

Focus on branches that are growing too long or those that are close to the powerlines or your home. It would also be wise to trim the branches that are

Also, look for branches that have already dried out. These are the ones that can pose a serious risk to the health of your trees. You can trim to make the tree look better but focus on keeping it healthy first.

Tree trimming is more essential than you think. Not only does it make your home safer, it can also make sure that your tree is growing better. It might be a painstaking process but the results you get at the end of the day is well worth it.

If you’re having a tough time doing the job, don’t be afraid to call on professional help instead.