Tree pruning in Alaska is an important professional service that can beautify and reinforce trees so they can withstand pests, diseases and inclement weather – and look good while doing it!
Pruning has to be done if you want healthy trees, but it must be done properly by someone who knows what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from AK Tree Trimming. You may be able to prune trees safely while they are small and growing, but you also may do irreparable harm to the tree in the process.
To correctly prune trees, you must know all of the following:
- When is the best time to prune your species of trees
- How much of the tree can be trimmed at a time
- Where to cut each branch so you do not harm the tree
Taking too much from a tree can kill it or cause structural damage, but minimal trimming done each year benefits trees in several ways. Professional pruning helps to improve the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, eliminates dead or diseased limbs and assists in fruit or flower production.
Ideally, pruning must be performed annually, but as trees get older, you might be able to wait two years between major pruning services. Regardless of how regularly 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 AK Tree Trimming in Alaska!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 different ways to properly prune a tree so that it grows healthier and stronger every year.
Depending on the size, type and health status of your trees, one pruning method could be more beneficial than another, but each technique has various benefits.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is common for larger, overgrown trees in Alaska. This technique eliminates weak branches within the crown of the tree to improve light and air flow throughout the crown. Air flow is important for disease prevention.
This pruning method also removes branches that are touching so they do not rub against one another and snap or create weaker areas that can be an entry point for insects and pests. Branches that grow at odd angles are typically removed during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree pruning technique removes branches and limbs at the lower part of the crown so new limbs start higher up on the trunk of the tree. Allowing low branches to get too big makes them very difficult to cut off, and they can draw nutrients from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weaker tree.
There are many reasons you might want to raise the crown of a tree. Often, it is done in order to clear the line of sight for automobiles and pedestrians, but it can also be done to increase space for landscaping under the tree.
It is a common technique for overgrown trees that are too close to homes and buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction lowers the overall size of the tree’s crown from its exterior edges. It shortens limbs horizontally and vertically to maintain the tree at a certain size. By reducing the size of the crown, you can remove the need to chop the tree down because it won’t interfere with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even if the tree isn’t close to structures like these, crown reduction can help the tree look much better because it also removes irregular growth. This is a good idea for trees that are different ages but you want to look consistent.
Crown Cleaning
Often referred to as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive type of tree trimming method that gets rid of dying, broken or diseased branches so that the rest of the tree may continue to grow normally. These branches can only cause issues in the future.
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 risk of branches falling, because healthy branches do not fall very often.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an advanced pruning technique for trees that were significantly damaged (either by weather or vandals). It must be performed by an experienced arborist who knows how the tree is likely to grow over time and just how long it’s restoration is going to take.
Unlike most other tree trimming services, crown restoration happens over an extended time period with conservative trimming that reshapes the tree. An arborist must have a definitive plan to restore the tree, but also be flexible as the tree grows and reshapes on its own, working with the tree’s new growth.
Vista Pruning
If you are looking for trees that help improve curb appeal, you are probably interested in vista pruning. The goal of vista pruning is to make the tree more visually pleasing from a particular viewing point.
It encompasses several pruning techniques including crown thinning, crown cleaning and crown reduction – any technique that makes the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that an arborist is not going to jeopardize 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 up against a wall or a trellis. It is a different style of tree trimming that will draw a lot of attention to your landscape. Espalier pruning has to be started when the tree is very young and then done consistently throughout the tree’s life span.
of espalier pruning include facilitating maximum sunlight to reach the trees, as well as making it easier to harvest fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Alaska
Tree trimming can be dangerous for a tree, your lawn, and, of course, for you! AK Tree Trimming highly recommends professional tree pruning over DIY.
Besides the many dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of harm to a tree if you don’t prune it correctly. Over-pruning is one of the most common errors made by homeowners maintaining their own trees.
Trees in Alaska that get routine care from a professionals are much better off, and hiring an experienced arborist from AK Tree Trimming to care for the trees on your property is a decision you won’t regret. Locate your town in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Alaska!
