Tree Pruning in Union City: Why, When, and How

Why Tree Pruning is Important for Your Property in Union City

Pruning your trees regularly has many benefits that go way beyond simply creating a nice-looking yard. Healthy trees add value to your property, are visually appealing to your community, and promote environmental sustainability in Union City.

Preserving Tree Health and Life Span

Tree pruning removes unhealthy and diseased branches that are damaging to your tree. Dead/diseased/weak branches take energy away from the rest of the tree, and create pathways for insects and diseases to enter the tree. By removing them, you are giving the tree a chance to focus its energy on healthy and strong growth.

Thin branches can improve air circulation and allow sunlight to penetrate deeper into the tree. Improved airflow will also speed up evaporation of moisture from the leaves and bark, reducing the likelihood of disease. As an example, properties located off of Paterson Plank Road benefit from pruning that will help trees to endure the stresses of the urban environment.

Strategic pruning addresses structural weaknesses in trees prior to them becoming serious problems. Younger trees particularly benefit from training cuts that promote strong branching angles and proper spacing. These early interventions will save you money down the road from having to do more costly corrective work, or worse yet, have to remove the tree.

Ensuring Safety for People and Property

Safety is another important reason for pruning trees in residential areas of Union City. Overhanging branches pose a threat to homes, cars, and pedestrians during storms or high winds. Proactive pruning will eliminate these hazards prior to a problem occurring.

Dead or weakened branches may fall unexpectedly and can result in serious injury to people and animals. Eliminating these hazardous branches will protect the residents and visitors to your property in neighborhoods such as Monastery Place. Responsible property stewardship includes regular safety pruning.

Overhanging branches that interfere with power lines must be addressed immediately to prevent outages and fire hazards. Trained professionals prune properly to maintain the necessary clearances from utility infrastructure. Preventative pruning will also minimize emergencies and possible liability claims.

Adding Curb Appeal and Property Values

Well-managed trees greatly enhance the curb appeal and property values of your home in Union City. When trees are pruned properly, they will complement the architecture and landscaping of your home. Attractive trees will attract potential buyers and contribute to the uniqueness of your neighborhood.

Proper selective pruning will open views, frame desirable views, and provide for greater privacy screening. In densely populated neighborhoods such as The Heights, homeowners can make the most of small lots through thoughtful branch management. Well-thought-out pruning will create a welcoming outdoor space that feels larger.

By keeping your trees in good health, you will be able to prevent the need for expensive removals in the future. Any investment made in regular pruning will protect your mature trees that could be very costly to replace. This long-term thinking will protect your landscape investment while providing for continued environmental benefits.

Determining the Best Time to Prune

To maximize the benefits of pruning while minimizing the risk of causing additional stress and disease to the tree, timing is everything. Depending upon the type of tree, its health, and your goals, there are different seasons to prune.

Late Winter to Early Spring Pruning

For most tree species, late winter (February-March) is considered the best time to prune. Dormant trees can tolerate pruning better since they are conserving energy. Also, pruning in the dormant state allows for faster healing of wounds since trees put their energy toward growth as soon as temperatures rise again.

In addition, pruning in the dormant state provides a clearer view of the internal structure of the tree so that arborists can see the structure of the tree, identify crossing branches, and know exactly where to make cuts. This is an advantage for arborists who want to provide the most beneficial pruning possible.

This same time frame is ideal for Union City properties since trees will respond well to spring pruning and allocate resources toward healing wounds and producing new growth.

Summer Pruning

While Summer pruning is not the recommended time to prune, it does serve some purposes. Light thinning of a vigorous tree during the active growth phase of the tree will slow the growth rate of the tree and redirect the energy of the tree toward the remaining parts of the tree.

Also, during the summer months, it is possible to remove water sprouts and suckers from the tree. These are nonproductive growths that can waste energy of the tree that could otherwise be used for desirable growth. However, summer pruning is stressful to trees that are already dealing with the heat of the summer and the potential for drought. Properties along Bergenline Avenue should therefore limit their summer pruning to necessary corrective measures. Major pruning should always be done in the dormant season when trees can tolerate the pruning better.

Species-Specific Pruning Timings

There are some tree species that require special consideration regarding the time of year to prune in order to avoid spreading diseases or other problems.

Oaks should never be pruned between April and October. Oak wilt disease can be transmitted through fresh wounds during this time of year when beetles are active and feeding on the sap of the tree.

Many maple, birch, and walnut species produce a great deal of sap when pruned in the late winter. Although this sap production will not hurt the tree, many property owners would prefer to avoid the mess and inconvenience associated with the sap flowing from the wounds. Pruning these species after their leaves are fully developed will eliminate the sap flow from the wounds.

Some trees, such as dogwood and magnolia, produce showy flowers in the spring and should be pruned after the blooms are completed. These types of trees set flower buds on the new growth produced each year for the flowers to develop the following year. If you prune these trees before the flowers are completed, you will be eliminating the buds that will develop the flowers for the following year. Therefore, it is recommended to prune these types of trees after the blooms are finished to preserve the potential for flowers the following year.

Basic Pruning Techniques

Many basic pruning techniques can be applied to various tree species to achieve a variety of goals. Some of the basic techniques include:

Crown Cleaning

Crown cleaning involves the removal of dead, dying, diseased, and broken branches from the tree canopy. Crown cleaning is an essential part of tree maintenance. It promotes the health and appearance of the tree while preventing problems from developing into serious issues.

Arborists will typically inspect the entire crown of the tree to locate dead, dying, diseased, and broken branches. All hazardous branches, regardless of their location or size, will be removed. A complete inspection and removal of all hazardous branches is an important step in tree health maintenance.

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning involves the selective removal of branches to reduce the density of the tree canopy. Thin the crown to allow for improved light penetration and air movement. In areas of Union City that are heavily wooded, thinning the crown of trees will help to reduce the wind resistance and improve air movement.

When crown thinning, arborists will only remove branches that are located in the interior of the crown, thus maintaining the natural shape of the tree. When branches are removed, arborists will cut the branches back to the point of attachment. This will leave no stubs behind and promote healthy and rapid healing of the wounds.

Aggressive crown thinning will weaken the tree and stimulate the growth of weak and useless water sprouts. Arborists will only remove branches as needed, and they will not exceed industry standards, thereby protecting the tree’s health while meeting your pruning objectives.

Crown Raising

Crown raising involves the removal of lower branches to allow for pedestrian, vehicle, or building clearance. Crown raising is a critical aspect of pruning for properties located along streets and sidewalks in Union City. Proper clearance will promote public safety while maintaining the aesthetic of the tree.

Aging trees will generally tolerate more crown raising than younger trees. Removing too many lower branches will create a weak and unstable tree that may be prone to collapse. The foliage in the lower crown of the tree is necessary for the production of chlorophyll and carbohydrates to support the tree’s growth and survival. Removing too many branches from the lower crown will weaken the tree and lead to poor growth.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction is a pruning technique that involves the reduction of the tree’s height or spread. Crown reduction does not involve the removal of branches, but instead involves the pruning of branches back to lateral branches to reduce the overall size of the tree. Crown reduction is a means to control trees that are outgrowing their space, and is often referred to as “limbing-up” or “raising”. Crown reduction will help to maintain the natural appearance and health of the tree.

For successful crown reduction, branches must be pruned back to substantial lateral limbs that are at least one-third the diameter of the removed portion. This relationship will ensure that the tree remains structurally sound and continues to grow.

Crown reduction is a temporary measure that will require frequent pruning to keep the tree at a reasonable height. Trees will continue to grow until they reach their genetic size potential. Homeowners may wish to consider whether continuous reduction is cost-effective compared to replacing the tree with a more suitable species.

How to Make Proper Pruning Cuts

The method of making the cut will determine how well the tree responds to pruning. Correct pruning technique will promote rapid healing, while minimizing decay, disease, and structural damage.

Understanding Branch Collar Anatomy

The branch collar is the swollen area where branches meet the trunk or larger limbs. This specialized tissue contains cells that rapidly seal wounds after proper cuts. Cutting just outside of the branch collar will give the tree the greatest opportunity to heal the wound.

Flush cuts will remove the branch collar damage, protective barriers, and encourage decay. Flush cuts will create a large wound that will heal slowly, or not at all. Modern pruning practices place emphasis on preserving the branch collar for all removal cuts.

Branch collars are evident in varying degrees based on the tree species, branch angle, and health. An experienced arborist recognizes the indicators of the branch collar even in difficult-to-read attachments. Their ability to consistently make proper cut placements will ensure a full assessment of the tree’s health and correction.

Three-Cut Method for Large Branches

Large branches require three separate cuts to prevent the bark from tearing during removal. The first cut is an undercut that is made several inches from the final cut location. This undercut will prevent the bark from pulling off when the branch falls.

The second cut removes the majority of the branch from above, slightly beyond the undercut. This separation will remove the weight of the branch and leave a manageable piece to cut from the bottom. The controlled drop will protect your property, as well as the surrounding landscape.

The final cut is the removal of the remaining stub just outside of the branch collar. This precise cut will promote the best possible healing and closure of the wound. The three-cut method will produce a professional-quality cut that will protect the tree’s health.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Pruning

There are certain pruning practices that can cause serious damage, and sometimes irreparable damage to trees. Homeowners need to recognize and avoid these harmful pruning practices.

Do Not Top Trees

Topping a tree is a pruning practice that involves the removal of large sections of the tree’s crown, resulting in large wounds and stubs. This destructive pruning practice will ruin the structural integrity of the tree, provide entry points for decay, and stimulate weak and useless water sprout growth. Topped trees will become hazardous and rarely regain their former attractiveness.

Trees that have been severely topped will never recover from the damage, despite producing vigorous sprout growth. The new branches will be weak and brittle, and they will break easily under stress. Therefore, it is recommended that homeowners reject any company that suggests topping as an acceptable pruning practice.

Limit the Amount of Pruning

Removing too much of the live foliage at one time will cause undue stress to the tree and negatively impact its health. Generally, it is recommended not remove more than 25% of the live crown in one year. Larger pruning projects should be phased over several years.

Vigorous young trees will tolerate more aggressive pruning than mature or stressed trees. Trees that are declining should be approached with caution to avoid stressing them further and potentially causing them to fail. The level of pruning required for a particular tree will depend on the recommendations of a trained arborist.

Whether to Hire a Professional or Do the Job Yourself

Homeowners need to determine what pruning tasks can be safely performed themselves and what pruning tasks should only be handled by a professional. This decision will impact both the results of the pruning task and the safety of the homeowner.

When to Hire a Professional

Hire a professional for large trees that require ladder access or chainsaw operation overhead. The dangers of performing this type of pruning are well-documented. Many serious injuries occur each year from attempting to perform this type of pruning. Certified arborists have received the training, experience, and equipment to safely complete high-work pruning.

Trees located near power lines require a coordinated effort with the utility companies and specialized training to perform safely. Contact with electrical wires can result in fatality or serious injury. Only a certified arborist knows the proper protocol for safely pruning near electrical wires.

If you have valuable specimen trees, you may want to hire a professional to care for them. Hiring a professional will ensure that your trees receive the proper care to maintain their health and form. Hiring a professional will also protect you from potential costly mistakes.

DIY Pruning Projects

Homeowners can safely maintain smaller branches that are within easy reach from the ground using hand pruners. Most young trees, shrubs, and low-hanging branches are safe to prune using hand pruners. Homeowners can use hand pruners to perform routine maintenance between visits from a professional arborist.

Remove dead branches, water sprouts, and minor crossing branches. Removing these types of branches requires little skill and will not cause damage to the tree. Removing these types of branches will help homeowners stay engaged with their landscape.

Finding a Reliable Tree Care Company

There are many things to look for in a reliable tree care company to ensure that you get quality work that protects your tree investment. There are many characteristics of a reliable tree care company.

Certification and Liability

Arborist certification is a demonstration that an individual has been tested on arboriculture and will continue to be educated in arboriculture. In addition, certification is evidence that an individual is committed to practicing arboriculture in accordance with professional standards. Therefore, properties within Union City should hire certified arborists.

Liability and Worker’s Compensation

Property owners are protected financially by comprehensive liability and workers’ compensation insurance for injuries or damage caused by uninsured contractors. The risk to property owners is substantially increased when accidents involving uninsured contractors occur. Therefore, always confirm that the contractor has current insurance coverage before commencing work.

Pruning Scheduling

Annual planning for pruning will maintain the health of your trees while controlling costs associated with tree maintenance. Regular pruning also reduces the likelihood of problems escalating into costly emergency repairs.

Late Winter Inspections

Inspection of your trees late in the winter will help you plan for the upcoming growing season. The time frame for pruning is best scheduled during this period to avoid conflicts with other tree maintenance activities and to take advantage of optimal weather conditions. Your ability to schedule professional services at times that are most favorable to you and to budget for them will be greatly enhanced by this type of planning.

Bi-annual Professional Assessments

Your trees will receive the proper care as they grow and mature over the course of their life span. If you have your trees inspected by a professional every two years, you will be able to identify problems related to your trees as they develop and correct them while it is still economically feasible. This preventative approach will protect your investment in your landscaping over the long term.

Union City’s Pruning Challenges of Urban Trees

Urban trees in Union City are challenged by the urban environment as a result of the high density of the area. Because of this environment, there are many different things to consider when performing pruning on the trees of the city. The most significant fact is the fact that the area is very dense. In addition to being dense, it has limited space and is near or surrounded by much of the city’s infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, etc.). These factors create a need for specialized pruning methods.

The narrow lot sizes and building placement in many areas of the city require special care to be taken so as not to damage the property when pruning. Companies that have worked in an urban environment will have knowledge and understanding of how to properly plan and execute the pruning job while protecting adjacent properties. They will also know how to access the tree safely and efficiently, and will have experience with the potential obstacles that may arise during the execution of the work.

Pruning of street trees can present its own set of problems. Some of those problems include vehicle traffic, pedestrians walking under the branches of the trees, and utilities placed under the roots of the trees. A professional arborist company must be able to communicate well with the city and neighbors when pruning street trees. When working in an urban environment, a professional arborist company understands how to navigate through these obstacles and coordinate their pruning activities accordingly.

Union City Tree Experts has decades of experience in providing professional tree pruning services to residents of our community. We have several ISA-certified arborists on staff who are knowledgeable about the specific challenges associated with pruning trees in the urban forests of Union City. They provide top-quality tree pruning service to help maintain the health, safety, and aesthetic appeal of the trees on your property. Whether you need routine maintenance, structural corrections, or other forms of tree pruning, we offer the highest quality of tree pruning service possible to protect your property investments while allowing the trees on your property to grow and thrive for future generations.