Here in New England, there are trees everywhere, and we are known for it too. Trees are really the backbone of any landscape, they can help line a property, or just as easily be the centerpiece of a yard. Trimming your tree, also known as pruning, is an essential part of maintaining the health of your trees, as well as keeping the rest of your landscape clean. With all the different species of trees out there, we unfortunately can’t provide you with a one size fits all solution for pruning them to keep them healthy. However, there are a few tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for.

Branches Are Getting in The Way of Your Powerlines

This is one of the most immediate concerns for any tree owner. If your tree branches are growing into your power lines, you risk losing power and even causing more serious damage and injury. While your power company is mostly responsible for keeping branches away from their lines, it’s better to be proactive and contact them first. If they aren’t being receptive to your requests then you can call in the help of a professional to ensure you don’t suddenly lose your electricity. Don’t try and get close to your power lines on your own, professionals use special equipment that acts as an insulator against electricity.

Dead Branches

Diseased or dead branches happen all the time. While it usually isn’t a major concern, it’s worth looking at the tree and making sure that it isn’t sick. Usually trimming away the affected branches does the trick and will allow for healthy new growth to take their place. If you aren’t sure how to tell if a tree is sick, call a tree expert and they should be able to help you out.

Storm Damage

Speaking of storm damage, it can leave some branches looking worse for wear. Sometimes a storm can leave some branches so weak that it’s better to trim them away than leaving them hanging.

Unbalanced Growth

It happens all the time, one side of a tree is experiencing tons of new growth, and the other side is staying rather stagnant. While the new growth is a great thing, you want to make sure that the tree is staying balanced and won’t become overly lopsided to one side. Too heavy of a lean to one side can actually make the tree less stable and more susceptible to damage by winds and heavy storms. Trimming back the excess growth will help keep the tree balanced and growing to its full potential. Don’t just start cutting left and right without researching some pruning techniques, if you aren’t sure where to start, contact the experts at Dudley Tree.