How Often Should You Trim Trees?

Introduction to Tree Trimming

You may have heard that you need to trim or prune your trees a certain number of times per year, but do you actually do it? Proper tree maintenance can be daunting if you never learned how to do it safely and without accidentally causing harm to the limbs or trunk. That’s why professional trimming services are so crucial for keeping your trees thriving.

Why Do You Need to Trim Trees?

The first thing you should understand is the difference between trimming and pruning your tree:

  • Pruning your tree means that you’re cutting down dead or diseased parts of the tree to make the rest of the plant healthier.
  • Trimming your tree refers to cutting a healthy portion of the tree to encourage growth.

Consider trimming your trees to be like getting a haircut. Getting a regular haircut can help your hair grow faster and improve your overall appearance. It also prevents minor issues like split ends from impacting the rest of your hair and further damaging it. Similarly, trimming your trees helps prevent you from having to prune them regularly by staving off disease and limb breakage.

Aside from helping the tree itself, trimming and pruning can help keep the area around the tree safe. During storms and other significant weather events, trees with damaged limbs are more likely to pose a hazard by breaking and damaging nearby property like houses and vehicles.

How Often Do You Need to Trim Trees?

Although you probably need to schedule a trim at least every couple of years, exactly how often you should trim and prune your trees comes down to the species you’re caring for. For example:

  • Oak trees need trimming every two or three years when they’re young, then every three to five years when they’ve matured.
  • Fruit-bearing trees need trimming every year.
  • Evergreen trees might not need trimming at all except for shaping and maintaining their size.

If you’re unsure how often a particular tree should be trimmed, consult with an arborist or another tree trimming professional.

When Is the Best Time to Trim Trees?

Winter is the best time to trim your trees, as most species are dormant during the colder season. While trees are dormant, they are less susceptible to infection from disease and insects. They also heal faster, meaning your trees will still be ready to bloom in time for spring!

Why Should I Hire a Professional Tree Trimmer?

The safest way to care for your trees is to call a professional and let them handle it. Professional tree trimmers like the team at Forest Tree Services know how to trim trees to avoid damaging them. Furthermore, trimming and doing other work on your trees can be dangerous if not done correctly, as you risk injury from falling limbs and spreading disease or insects to healthy trees.

Contact Forest Tree Services for Help With Trimming or Pruning

Forest Tree Services is a leading tree care company serving Santa Rosa, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Cotati and Sebastopol. We are Diamond Certified for offering the highest-quality service and helpful expertise to those seeking tree care in Northern California. Contact us today for all of your tree trimming needs!