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When you see a tree on your property that doesn’t appear to be in the best health, you might wonder whether it’s best to cut your losses and call in the experts to remove it. However, losing a tree that provides many amazing benefits, like improved soil health, shade, and protection from noise pollution, can seem like such a shame.Sometimes, trimming can be the best solution for your tree problem, while other times, tree removal is the safest course of action. Talking to tree care experts like Pro Climb should always be your first port of call for advice, but the following information might help you make an informed decision.
Trimming Lets You Detect Diseases Early On
Trimming might not help if your tree is already in the advanced stages of diseases, but it might at least help you pick up diseases early on, such as fungal diseases, nutrient deficiency, and bacterial and viral diseases.
When you undertake regular trimming, you can be on the lookout for signs of leafspot, red threat, rusts, mould, mildew, blights, blackspot, and brown patch. Fruit trees, in particular, can be at risk of fungal diseases that reduce crops, stress plants, and even limit flowering potential.
When you notice signs of these fungal diseases, you can purchase fungicides to stop them in their tracks. Alternatively, you can bring in the experts to take care of your trimming needs, identify diseases, and take care of them for you through addressing the root system and tree surrounds.
Tree care experts can also assist if you’re experiencing issues relating to waterlogging, cracked or dry soil, damaged and exposed roots, recent earthworks, and new construction near the tree.
You Can Improve Your Tree’s Appearance By Trimming It
There’s no coming back from tree removal. Once you cut down a tree, it’s gone for good. But if you’re thinking about tree removal because you don’t like your tree’s appearance, trimming might be a much better option.
Regular trimming by trained experts can improve your tree’s aesthetics. Moreover, ongoing clipping and trimming let you play with the shape until it’s as beautiful as you hoped it could be from the beginning.
Pruning also allows for improved light and airflow, reducing the risk of disease to your garden for much-needed peace of mind.
You Can Enjoy Better Fruit Yields
Many Kiwis are fortunate enough to have fruit-producing fruit trees, and there’s nothing quite like venturing into your yard for lemons, oranges, apples, and other delicious treats. If you’ve noticed that your trees are producing less fruit or smaller fruit, trimming might be a game-changer in this respect.
Fruit tree pruning can increase fruit size and help your trees produce an abundance of fruit. Just remember to prune them later in winter and ensure their centres are exposed to as much sunlight as possible.
Tree Trimming Might Improve Tree Health
While tree trimming is ultimately performed for the safety of trees and surrounding property, some research in the past has suggested that pruning might improve or maintain tree condition. According to a 1981 study involving 40,000 trees, when pruning was absent for over a decade, the trees’ condition was 10% lower on average.
Some overseas research has also suggested that thinning and reduction might increase canopy light penetration, which, in turn, might increase air movement, reduce wind sail, and allow for even foliage distribution.
When Is Tree Cutting and Tree Removal Necessary?
Tree removal should always be a last resort, and there are many steps you can take beforehand, such as pruning, bracing, and tree treatments from arborists. However, as much as we want to save all trees from being cut down unnecessarily, some trees will sadly require removal.
Some trees can be dangerous and put properties and people at risk if they were to be affected by a severe weather event. They might also be so severely diseased that their branches are at risk of hurting people if they were to break off.
Some trees might also be fighting for survival next to much larger trees that take all the available natural resources for themselves. In this instance, tree transplanting might also be an option you consider.
Tree removal or transplanting might also be a consideration if your tree is producing too much shade on your property, resulting in other problems like moss growth, slippery paths, and icy roads.
Should I Trim My Tree Or Cut It Down?
When a tree has been sitting proudly on your property for several years, the mere thought of having to cut it down can be heartbreaking. Fortunately, it might not yet come to that.
There can be many benefits associated with trimming and pruning, which might solve many of the problems you’ve been having. Otherwise, trained arborists and tree care experts can likely recommend the best approach that considers both your needs and those of the tree.
