Common Tree Pruning Questions
I’ll address some common pruning questions that we receive at Shadywood Tree Experts. If you don’t see your pruning question here please call our office at 952-933-0614 and we will connect you with one of our consulting arborists to help you with all your tree care needs.
Does removing dead branches improve the health of our trees?
Answer: No. After a branch dies, a process inside the tree begins where a chemical barrier forms to prevent decay from entering the tree. This process is called compartmentalization. The branch is no longer connected to any of the tree vascular tissue and cannot draw from any of the tree’s resources. So, leaving dead branches has no effect on tree health. Dead branches are removed from trees because they can be unsafe or they are aesthetically displeasing.
How often should trees be pruned?
Answer: Trees are pruned for many reasons. If you are pruning for clearance over your house, or over the lawn or driveway; then your pruning frequency will be based on how fast your trees are growing. Tree branches can grow from 4 inches a year up to 18 inches per year depending on the species.
If you are pruning to mitigate risk of dead branches falling, then the pruning frequency will be based on the types of trees you have and how often they produce dead wood. Ash trees often go through a “restructuring” process where they shut down non-productive branches about every five to six years which results in hanging deadwood in the trees. If you have any ash or similar tree species, then it makes sense to plan on pruning every five to six years. The idea is to plan your pruning on what particular species of tree you have.
Hazardous broken and hanging branches are quite often caused by wind events exceeding 20 miles per hour impacting weak spots in the trees. When these wind events occur then it’s a good practice to have your trees evaluated after these events for broken and hanging branches as well as any structurally deficient tree parts that could pose a risk for falling.
Deadwood in your tree that’s two inches in diameter or larger is considered hazardous. If these branches are over infrastructure that would be harmed by the branches falling, then these branches should be dealt with in an expedient manner. So too, should branches with obvious defects. The longer a dead branch is left in the tree, the more likely the branch is to fail. Have these branches looked at when you notice them and formulate a plan. An experienced consulting arborist can help you identify all of the areas of concern in your trees and come up with a pruning plan that will meet your objectives.
Our trees hang down over our house and touch the house, what should we do?
Answer: Have a certified arborist inspect your trees. A basic inspection should include identifying the tree species and their location as well as their distance from structures and power lines as well as their current condition. Estimate that branches grow about a foot a year (that’s an average, some are faster, some are slower). If the branches are touching or rubbing then you’ll have to take action. If the branches are 6 feet away then you probably have 5-6 years to do something. Remember, a tree has to grow every year to stay alive. If you have trees close to your house then you want to have a plan on how to train the tree to grow up and away from your house. It is generally a poor idea to remove large branches from trees close to structures as this leaves large wounds on the trees. Discuss the potential drawbacks of this with your arborist. If a tree has been planted or left to grow in a poor location, your arborist may recommend removal as a way to prevent future problems.
Shadywood Tree Experts have experienced consulting arborists who can answer all your tree pruning questions and help you develop a comprehensive pruning plan for all of your landscape trees. Call us at 952-933-0614 to schedule a free visit.
Jake Nitz ISA Certified Arborist #WI-0761A