What You Should Know About Tree Crown Thinning

One of the most important tree maintenance practices is tree trimming. There are many types of tree trimming techniques that arborists adopt, all depending on the condition of your tree. DIY tree maintenance is discouraged; therefore, make sure you consult an arborist for tree crown thinning. Here is some basic knowledge on a tree trimming method known as tree crown thinning.

What Is Tree Crown Thinning?

Tree crown thinning is a trimming approach involving the removal of dead branches and regulating the growth or flowering of a tree. This technique is used on mature trees. During the process, the arborist removes the outer crown of a tree. This results in an evenly spaced branch structure.

How Is Tree Crowning Performed?

When performing tree crowning, the arborist will remove branches a few inches thick. Thicker branches are only removed if they are dead or diseased. The angle of cuts is usually slight to deflect moisture from the cut surface. The cut is outside the parent wood and not into the main trunk. Cutting into the main trunk results in rot and disease.

Benefits of Tree Crown Thinning

One of the first benefits of thinning is shaping the tree. The arborist removes branches with bad structural strength, V-shaped angles, and those growing too close to each other. A well-shaped tree improves the aesthetics of your landscape.

A healthy tree with sufficient water and nutrients tends to be overcrowded and bushy. The leaves and branches of this tree compete for nutrients and light. Thinning removes excess branches and promotes light penetration.

Another benefit of tree crowning is that it eliminates infected or damaged branches. A tree with unkempt leaves and branches attracts insects and diseases. Thinning prevents the spread of infection and allows the tree to grow healthy.

Tree crown thinning increases yields. The benefits accompanied by increased yields include a reduction in overcrowding, minimizing infected parts, and increased light penetration.

Lastly, crown thinning secures your tree from strong storms and winds. If a tree falls after being damaged by severe weather conditions, it could damage your home. Thinner trees allow air to pass through them and are, therefore, more resistant to storm and wind damage.

In Closing

Improper tree trimming can damage its structure and make it more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Furthermore, incorrect trimming reduces a tree's yields and increases the risk of your tree being damaged by severe weather conditions. If you intend to trim your trees, consult an arborist. The tree specialist will determine the most appropriate trimming method to apply for your trees.

Reach out to a company such as A + A Tree & Landscaping LLC for more info.