Australian weather can be so volatile. One moment you're basking in the sun, and the next minute there's a ferocious thunderstorm surrounding your home. When we moved to our first property, we had a near-miss when part of a tree came down during a storm. Luckily, it missed our house, but it did flatten my gorgeous rose garden. Tree maintenance is very important in Australia, and my blog deals with all the different ways you can maintain the health of your trees. From pruning to identifying tree rot, find out how to look after your trees, so they don't come tumbling down when the winds pick up.
Tree Pruning Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Tree services like pruning are usually best left for professionals such as arborists. However, this does not mean that you cannot take on such tasks on your own. If you have the time and would like to get hands-on with gardening tasks around your home, you can prune your trees on your own. Besides, you can save some money in the process. Keep in mind that if you decide to take on tree pruning on your own, it is of vital importance that you do it the right way. Making mistakes can be detrimental to the survival of your trees and may even cause injuries and damages to property. If you've never undertaken such a project before, here are the common mistakes you should be keen to avoid.
Wrong Timing
Timing is crucial when it comes to tree pruning. Weather changes across the seasons of the year and the time you choose to prune your tree will affect its ability to withstand any harsh weather. For instance, pruning in the heat of summer is not the best of ideas. First, summers are a time when many tree species expend their resources through the growth and creation of new leaves. Getting rid of some of the branches at this time will reduce the ability of the trees to do this optimally and this can affect their health. Also, if you prune the west-facing branches, for instance, you may only leave your tree vulnerable to sun scalds, especially if you have trees that are susceptible to heat such as maples and red oaks. Pruning such branches removes the much-needed shade in the heat of summer. Therefore, it would be a good idea to schedule your pruning for the colder months when many tree species are dormant.
Tree Topping
Topping is another common mistake you can make when pruning your trees for the first time. It involves chopping off the crown of your tree at the very top. Many homeowners do this when they believe their trees have grown too big for their property and may come into contact with overhead property structures or power lines. Topping will only weaken the branch structure of your tree, make it grow in an unappealing shape and often result in less foliage.
Incorrect Cuts
Tree pruning is more than taking your chainsaws and making all sorts of cuts on tree branches. You have to make the correct cut to ensure the tree continues growing healthy. Flush cutting is a mistake many homeowners make when pruning their trees for the first time. It involves cutting the tree branch below its collar. Doing this removes a significant amount of trunk tissue and exposes your tree to invasion by diseases, fungus and pests.
For more information, contact local tree removal services.