How To Prune A Tree: Part 2

Top Tree LLC has been pruning trees in the Tri-Cities for many years. Sometimes, your trees need just a little maintenance. However, there are times when they need more than that. Here is part 1 of our series on pruning your trees.

Identify Key Branches
Identifying key branches is important. The last thing you would want to do is make a cut on a main branch of any tree. Your main focus should be to find non-important branches and limbs that consume tree resources that don’t add any benefit to its health or to the tree’s utility.

You will also need to identify branches that have been damaged or broken. Here in the Tri-Cities, we have plenty of wind storms in the winter and spring that can wreak havoc on your trees and shrubs. You will need to pay extra attention to trees that are older and weaker.

Part of identifying good branches is knowing which ones that are growing. Trees produce new growth yearly on both their trunk and their branches. You should look to see how much growth has occurred in the past year by checking the distance between this year’s buds and last year’s (evidenced by scars on the branch). The average growth varies by tree, so check to see what you should expect.

One of the biggest reasons to identify and maintain the key branches of the tree is so that you can ensure it’s stability and growth. Another reason is so that you remove any branches that are robbing nutrients and aren’t helping growth.

Conclusion
Here at Top Tree, we strive to be your preferred tree maintenance provider. We have specially trained arborists in the Tri-Cities that will show your trees the utmost care. Whether you need trees removed, trees trimmed, or just regular care, we will be here for you.

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How To Prune A Tree: Part 1

Deciding What To Prune
Top Tree LLC has been pruning trees in the Tri-Cities for many years. Sometimes, your trees need just a little maintenance. However, there are times when they need more than that. Here is part 1 of our series on pruning your trees.

Deciding What To Prune
Deciding what to prune on your tree should be your first step. This can be a daunting task in itself if you don’t know what to search for. When you first assess your tree, there are certain things to look for. You should take note of any dead or broken branches. Also be aware of where there is any loose or peeling bark. Your tree should be free of any fungal growth as well as any bare patches where the bark is completely gone. While keeping all of this in mind, you will also want to keep a mental image of how you want your tree to look when you are all finished pruning it.

Picking Your Tools
You will need to have the proper equipment for pruning your tree. If you have very small branches, you can get away with using small clippers or shears. If you have larger or thicker branches, you will want to use lopping shears. These are perfect for cutting through larger branches.

Besides cutting tools, you will want to have a good pair of gloves, eye protection gear, and probably some long sleeved shirts to protect your arms from stray branches as they come down.

Conclusion
Here at Top Tree, we strive to be your preferred tree maintenance provider. We have specially trained arborists in the Tri-Cities that will show your trees the utmost care. Whether you need trees removed, trees trimmed, or just regular care, we are at your service.

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Spring Time Tree Maintenance Step by Step: Part 6

Established trees may seem self-sufficient, but our arborists at Top Tree LLC agree: Healthy trees do not just happen on their own. Trees are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Tending to seasonal chores helps keep trees healthy and protects your landscape investment. Get your trees off to a growing start by following six simple steps for spring tree care. Here is step 6 of 6:

Eliminating Pests & Diseases

We can tell you which pests and diseases pose the most serious threat to your trees – and how to best treat them. New problems develop yearly, and older foes are often defeated.

Healthier trees are less likely to become infested, so maintaining the strength and vitality of your tree is an important prevention step. Once chewing insects are present, controlling movement up and down the stem with physical barriers can interrupt the lifecycles of many caterpillars. Insecticides can be used to kill the insects.

The key is to prevent infestation by keeping the tree as healthy as possible. This includes proper pruning, watering, mulching and fertilization. Pruning should be done in late fall or winter to avoid attracting insects to open wounds. Dead or fallen wood should be removed immediately. Once borers are present, control becomes extremely difficult, but steps should be taken to prevent further damage and to stop the spread to surrounding trees.

If you have multiple trees to remove or just don’t have the time to do it, we are here for you. We can handle all of your tree removal needs in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) and even West Richland. We look forward to being your preferred tree removal service provider.

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