Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Pruning in Lancaster County
Tree and shrub pruning is an essential tree care service that many people forget about and take for granted. Residents in Lancaster County often ask us about the process of pruning, and whether it is really beneficial to their trees.
In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions we receive about pruning trees in Lancaster County. With these frequently asked questions answered, we hope you will understand more about pruning and its importance for your trees and shrubs.
Key Takeaways
- You should prune your trees when they display signs like dead branches, overly long branches, weak branch unions, low branches that prevent foot traffic, or branches growing into structures.
- Our team prunes shrubs by heading back (cutting the ends of branches to a bud) or thinning (completely removing branches back to the lateral branches).
- Topping trees is never recommended, as it does not actually help reduce their height; instead, it can kill a tree or leave it severely unhealthy.
- Pruning has numerous benefits for trees, such as increased beauty, better flowering, training young trees on how to grow, improved light penetration, and reducing the risk of branches breaking and causing damage or injury.
- Tree pruning is best left to professionals who have the right tools and know how to prune trees safely without hurting them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree and Shrub Pruning in Lancaster County
Here are some of the most common questions from Lancaster County homeowners about tree and shrub pruning.
PRO TIP: Pruning isn’t the only thing a homeowner should do to care for their trees. Want to learn more about caring for your property and its trees? Check out some of our previous articles on tree maintenance, such as:
How do I know it’s time to prune my trees?
Most mature trees benefit from pruning every 3-5 years, depending on the species. If you don’t know when you last had your trees pruned, there are some typical signs your tree is due for professional pruning, including:
- Trees with weak branch unions, branches that are too close to each other, or any other similar problem
- Trees with dead, dying, or broken branches
- Low branches that prevent you from walking around your property
- Overly long branches that could break off
- Branches that are growing into utility lines or surrounding structures
What type of pruning does Arborist Enterprises do for shrubs?
Shrubs are pruned in two ways: heading back and thinning. Heading back means cutting the ends of branches to a bud. This makes the shrub appear denser because it grows more shoots and leaves.
Thinning is when you remove branches down to secondary lateral branches, branch unions, or the main trunk. Thinning gives a plant an open and natural appearance and encourages healthy new growth.
What time of the year should I have a professional prune my trees?
The safe and proper removal of dead limbs or dead portions of trees can be completed during any season. The best time to prune live material on trees is when a tree is dormant, which is in the late fall, winter, or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning when a tree is dormant will allow it to heal faster and reduce the risk of disease transmission or insect infestation.
When is the best time to prune your shrubs?
Shrubs should be pruned in early to mid-summer to maintain or reduce their size and shape. To maintain and increase flowering shrubs, prune no later than 4-6 weeks after the season’s last flower has wilted and dropped.
Shrub pruning should be completed by mid-October at the latest. Any later, and the shrubs could be susceptible to damage from cold weather if they have not had adequate time to regrow and harden before winter winds begin to blow.
Should you put a wound dressing on a tree after pruning?
Although applying a wound dressing to a tree may seem like a good idea (like what you may do for yourself when you get a cut), trees do not need any wound dressing after pruning. Trees can naturally heal from damage, and a wound dressing actually slows the healing process.
Instead of topping a tree, hire a company to do proper pruning, as demonstrated in this photo. Photo courtesy of Joseph Obrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Is topping a tree a good alternative to pruning?
NO! In fact, many residents of Lancaster County have asked us about tree topping and if it will save them money on tree pruning. Tree topping was once considered a proper arboriculture practice, and some tree services still top trees even though it is heavily discouraged in the industry.
This technique is used to make a tree shorter by picking a designated height and chopping off all branches above the line. We do not and never will offer tree topping, as it is incredibly harmful to a tree. While some believe it will make their tree shorter and safer, the result is quite the opposite.
Trees rapidly regrow after being topped to try and replace all the lost leaves. This new growth will likely reach the same height and result in thin, ugly, and upright branches. In other instances, the tree will die, necessitating removal. Taking care of the tree will also cost you more money in the long run after topping.
What are the benefits of pruning?
Pruning your trees has several benefits, such as:
- Training young trees: Pruning can help shape young trees into the desired structure. This is best left to an expert who can better visualize what a tree will look like at full maturity and expertly prune it to fit your needs.
- Increasing sunlight penetration and airflow: As shade trees grow, some of the lower areas of the canopy may not get enough sunlight and air. These sections are more prone to developing fungi as they have difficulty drying out. Strategically removing branches can allow the sun to reach the lower sections of a tree.
- Beautifying trees: Pruning can help turn a ragged tree into a more aesthetically pleasing one.
- Increasing flowering in ornamental trees: Pruning at the right time can encourage more flowering in your ornamental trees in the next season.
- Making a tree safer: Weak or dead branches are prone to breaking when the winds pick up. Removing them during pruning can lower the risk of a tree damaging your property or injuring someone.
A professional tree care company will have proper tools to prune a tree and limit damage. Photo courtesy of Joseph Obrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Should I prune my trees and shrubs myself or let an expert handle it?
Pruning is essential for maintaining the health of your trees, shrubs, and property. However, proper pruning is an art—simply taking a pair of clippers to your plants can often do more harm than good.
Our technicians undergo extensive training to adhere to ANSI A300 tree pruning standards. These standards are established by the International Society of Arboriculture to ensure the tree is harmed as little as possible. That training is put to work when our team prunes your trees and shrubs safely and correctly so they stay safe and healthy.
Not only does the team at Arborist Enterprises have the proper training, but we also have the necessary equipment to prune trees. We have a bucket truck, spider lift, and chipper to make the job easier and safer. It can be nearly impossible for someone without this equipment to prune a large tree and dispose of the debris.
Trust Arborist Enterprises to Handle Your Pruning Needs
Tree pruning is about more than just randomly cutting off sections of a tree or shrub. It takes a trained eye to avoid harming the plant and get the biggest benefits from pruning. We hope this article answered your questions about pruning and piqued your interest in caring for your trees.
When you need tree or shrub pruning and want it done right, trust the team at Arborist Enterprises to handle the job. Our team has the proper training and equipment to handle all pruning jobs, large and small. Call us at 717-393-7602 or request an estimate online today!
