April 2020 – The Right Way To Maintain Your Trees – Part 7

Do you need to find the best tree thinning service in the Tri Cities? We are it. However, if you’re looking to tackle the job yourself, we are happy to help by providing whatever information we can.

How to Make a Proper Pruning Cut

The branch collar is the swollen area where the branch connects to the trunk. A proper pruning cut should be made just outside the branch collar and should not remove or damage the branch collar. This allows for proper closure of the wound. To prevent tearing of the bark and vascular tissue, use the three-cut approach to pruning: Cut #1 Make a small undercut a few inches out from the branch collar. Cut #2 Remove the limb above cut #1. Cut #3 Remove the stub by cutting just outside the branch collar

Branches should be pruned at the branch collar–NOT at mid-branch. Mid-branch pruning, called tipping or topping depending on branch size, is harmful to trees, promotes the growth of weakly attached epicormic sprouts, and can lead to the death of the branch or tree! Sharp, clean tools make the smoothest cuts. Choose the tool based on the size of the branch. For small branches (under 2.5 cm), bypass pruners should be used. Bypass pruners have a curved cutting blade and are good for pruning tree limbs. For slightly larger cuts (up to 10 cm) a pruning saw may be used. Chain saws are preferred when pruning branches over 10 cm and should be used only by qualified individuals. 

If you’re looking to do all of your own tree thinning, we will be your biggest cheerleaders. If you ever need advice, a quick tip, or just have a quick question, please call us anyways. We will be happy to help and assist any way we can. If there is ever a job that gets to be a little too big, please give us a chance to earn your business. We are the best tree maintenance service in Pasco.

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