Do you have a flowering tree in your yard? If so, you will want to prune the tree regularly. Regular pruning will not only help keep the tree a compact and attractive shape, but will also help ensure it flowers evenly. Plus, some flowering trees are prone to disease, and trimming gives you a chance to remove any diseased branches before the disease can spread. So, how do you go about trimming a flowering tree? Start by following these tips.
Trim it very early.
You do not want to trim a flowering tree after it has set buds for the season. It takes a tree a lot of resources to set buds, and you don't want to simply prune away the buds that it has used water and nutrients to form. Rather, you should trim the tree in the very early spring, or even late winter. By reducing the number of branches the tree has as it enters bud season, you allow it to dedicate more water and nutrients to each bud. This can result in bigger, more vibrant flowers.
Remove brittle, dead, or fungus-covered branches first.
You don't want to remove too much growth from a flowering tree all at once, or else it may not have enough leaves to harness the sunlight it needs to grow and thrive. So, start by removing any brittle, dead, or diseased branches. This will help prevent the spread of disease to the rest of the tree. After these branches are gone, take a step back and look at the tree from a distance. See where it looks uneven, and then focus the rest of your trimming on the areas where there appear to be too many branches.
Remove each branch completely.
Do not just nip the ends of branches. Branches grow from their ends, and so the branch you leave behind with this method will be stunted. Instead, identify branches you want to remove, and remove them in their entirety. Leave only a tiny nub against the trunk. Take your time to position the shears around the branch so you can cut through the whole thing with one swift cut.
If you follow the tips above, you will do a good job of trimming your flowering tree. Don't hesitate to call a tree trimming company if you're short on time and decide you don't want to do this chore yourself. Most are willing to trim flowering trees.
Share6 June 2023
After we moved into our house, we knew that something had to be done about our trees. The branches looked off-kilter, and we could tell that someone had pruned them incorrectly at one time or another. Unfortunately, we weren't really sure how to repair the damage. A family friend talked with us about hiring a professional tree trimmer, and so we called them the next day. The difference that they made was astounding. They removed dead branches, trimmed up the shape, and let more sunlight through. My blog is all about improving the look of your trees by hiring a professional.