Caring for a mature tree takes precision and caution, because they don’t bounce back from haphazard trimming and pruning like younger trees. Most species reach maturity around age 10-20, but some slow-growing types, like oak, may not reach full maturity until they’re over 50 years old. To give your trees the best care this spring, here are some trimming tips from experts to keep in mind.
Schedule Trimming Before Buds Unfurl
It’s best to trim before your tree has fully unfurled its new leaves after winter. Once the tree has spent most of its energy pushing the new buds, heavy pruning and trimming can stress it and deplete it of essential nutrients.
The exceptions are maples, birches, and walnuts. They will heavily leak sap if they’re trimmed or pruned in the spring. Oak trees should also never be touched between April and July in many regions to prevent Oak Wilt, a fungal disease carried by beetles.
Because timing is so critical, working with a tree care professional is best. They can inspect your trees, determine their species, estimate their age, and help develop a care plan that respects each one’s unique needs.
Remember the 3-D Pruning Technique
Arborists focus exclusively on three Ds when trimming and pruning trees: dead, damaged, and diseased limbs. They are the primary sources of stress and danger to a tree, and they should be removed strategically.
Depending on the D you’re addressing on a particular branch, different precautions are necessary. For example, tools must be sterilized with rubbing alcohol before cutting diseased tree branches to avoid spreading bacteria into the wounds.
If you attempt to trim the tree yourself, make sure you carefully research its species and needs. With mature trees in particular, you want to be as careful as possible when removing limbs. Cutting too much off can stress the tree and cause it harm, expose it to illness, and put it at risk.
Focus on Thinning the Interior
Full-grown trees with thick canopies need strategic trimming to improve sunlight filtration and photosynthesis for lower leaves. Selectively removing branches from the interior of the canopy can let more light in and ensure it reaches the tree’s inner structure.
As a rule, avoid cutting any branches that have a diameter larger than 1/3 of the trunk’s diameter. This can create a major wound that a mature tree may never recover from, and it could be left vulnerable to fungal infections and disease.
Important Tips
Spring trimming is a routine part of tree care for many property owners; however, it’s important to know your tree’s species and care for it accordingly. Taking type, age, and unique composition into account will make sure your tree is trimmed the way it needs to thrive. Even if you consider yourself someone with a green thumb, it’s best to coordinate with a tree care expert who can help you make the best decisions for your garden. Reach out to us at Eastern Tree Pros in Greenville, NC to get the tree trimming support you deserve!