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How To Trim A Tree – Large or Small

Tree Trimming Tips - How To Trim A Large Or Small Tree

If you’re Googling “How To Trim A Large Tree“, “How To Trim A Small Tree” or “Tree Trimming Tips“, this article should help!

When you know the basics of tree pruning and trimming, then you can handle most of the work yourself. There is a variety of tips for pruning and trimming techniques that can help to keep your tree looking great. The right type of knowledge and equipment will allow you to prune your tree when needed to maintain the appearance and health as well as to remove dead branches and common issues that could be dangerous.

There are a lot of tree trimming techniques, but if you are wanting to do this on your own, then you need to learn the basics to keep things in order. You could also hire a professional and not think about it. Keep reading our guide below for more information.

Reasons to prune or trim your tree

Trees will normally get trimmed for one of 3 reasons: health, safety, or aesthetics. For instance:

  • Health – It can sometimes be possible to save infected trees by pruning the affected limbs and branches. Thinning the tree’s crown improves airflow, which is beneficial. If the branches are rubbing together or crossing, then need to be trimmed so that they don’t fall unexpectedly.
  • Safety – Broken or dead limbs and branches can fall at any time, which is a big safety issue. If the branches of a tree obstruct your vision when you are driving, they need to be trimmed. If the branches and limbs grow to close to utility lines, contact your utility company to take care of it.
  • Aesthetics – Pruning your tree helps to maintain the appearance and shape. You should never impose an unnatural shape or size on a tree. The amount of pruning and trimming that is needed could damage it.

General Tree Trimming Tips For Large & Small Trees

  • Only trim branches that have narrow, weak, V-shaped angles. Keep the branches that have strong U-shaped angles.
  • It is best to prune or trim a tree during the dormant season. Although, you can prune at anytime, it is better when it is dormant. The only exception is when there is a hazard
  • Be conscientious about the branch size that you are removing. If it is less than 5 cm in diameter, then it is okay to remove. If it is between 5 to 10 cm, you may not want to remove it. If it is more than 10 cm in diameter, you should only remove it if you have a really good reason.

Lateral branches need to be between three-quarters and one-half the diameter of the stem at the attachment point. Otherwise, they should be removed.

  • Do not trim branches that are too long or too close. You should not remove the branch collar or leave a large stub.
  • When you are finished pruning, the ration for the crown to tree height needs to be two-thirds.
  • Try to prune young branches. They are easier to manage and there is a lower chance of leaving nasty scars.

Pruning Tips for Trees

The tips below will help to guide you if you have been planning on pruning your trees or if you want to learn more about the care and maintenance techniques for tree trimming.

Crown Thinning

If you are needing to trim the crown of your tree, keep the following techniques and tips in mind:

  • Prune branches that are crossing or rubbing each other.
  • Keep lateral branches evenly spaced as much as possible, especially on a young tree.
  • Do not remove more than a fourth of the crown at once. If you have to remove more than that, spread it over years.

Crown raising

  • In order to make clearance for pedestrians or other reasons, you can raise the crown by pruning your tree carefully. Maintaining the live branches on most of the tree’s height. If you remove too many branches toward the bottom, then your tree may not develop a strong stem.

Crown Reduction

Only reduce the crown if it is needed. Prune the lateral branches that are a third in diameter of the stem that will need to be removed.

  • If you have to remove more than half of the foliage from the branches, just remove the whole branch.

Techniques for Tree Trimming

Below are some techniques for trimming to keep in mind:

  • Before you make a cut, look for the collar of the branch, which grows from stem tissue at the base of the branch. Look for the ridge, which is on the upper surface and runs parallel to the angle at the stem of the branch.
  • Use the same techniques to prune living and dead branches.
  • Always cut the outside of the bark ridge and angle the cut down and away from the stem. Be sure that you don’t damage the collar of the branch.
  • If the stem is too long, then use a three cut technique. Create a notch on the side of the stem that faces away from the branch being kept. Make a second cut inside of the branch and above the ridge. Make a third cut which will remove the stub by cutting through the stem which is parallel to the bark ridge.

Keeping these techniques and tips from this guide before you take on trimming and pruning your trees.

How much does trimming a tree cost?

If you are wanting to keep your landscape looking great, then you need to consider having your trees pruned and trimmed. Pruning and trimming helps to remove broken or dead limbs as well as helps to keep your tree healthy. The cost of trimming your tree will depend on various factors, but it really depends on whether you can do it yourself or if you need to hire a professional. Learn more about palm tree trimming costs here.

Tree Trimming Services In Tempe, Arizona

If you would rather have an expert trim your trees and live or do business in the Tempe, Arizona area, Arbor Care can help! For professional tree trimming in Tempe, give Arbor Care a call today at 480-797-5566. 

Tree Trimming
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Growing Lemon Trees in Arizona

Growing Lemon Trees In Arizona

If you are looking for information on growing lemon trees in Arizona, this post is for you! Arizona is a great place for anyone to grow a citrus plant, which is why a lot of commercial growers and home owners produce high quality fruits. You can actually grow some of the best citrus fruits in the world using Arizona’s dry and warm climate. Mandarins, Pumelos, Kumquats, Limes, Lemons, Tangerines, Grapefruits, Tangelos, Blood Oranges, and Oranges are just a few of the citrus fruits that will thrive in Arizona.

There is a large variety of available citrus to be grown, today we will focus on just lemons and how you can grow them effectively. We will take time to outline the information and tips about growing healthy, strong, and fruitful lemon trees.

Growing Lemon Trees Outdoors

The most important and first decision that should be made when planting lemon trees is where you want to plant them and how much sun exposure they will get. Lemons are sensitive to cold temperatures, which why having full sun exposure is vital and needed for them to grow right. You will find that the best planting is on the Southside of your home most of the time, depending on coverage from large trees that may be there. While it isn’t a problem in Arizona, frost can destroy your lemon tree and a good way to guard against this is to plan the lemon trees close to your home.

Watering Your Trees

You need to make sure that your tree is moist when you plant the tree is vital, after you plant the tree you need to water it in a deep and slow fashion once a week during the summer and twice a week during the rest of the year. This is because citrus trees that are established in soil will do well when the soil is slightly dry between watering.

General Care and Protecting Against Frost

If you believe that there is a chance for frost, then you need to cover the young lemon trees. Frost cloth and burlap are great for protection. Never use plastic to protect the tree from frost as it is quite inadequate, so if you don’t have frost cloth or burlap, you can use a blanket or sheet will protect them well. Once the temperature has rose above freezing, uncover the trees and let them soak up the sun, until the temperature drops again. A good way to help citrus trees like lemons is to grow them in a pot on your patio. They can flourish and produce fruit when they are potted. This is effective because you can bring your pots under the patio or indoors when it begins to freeze.

Fertilization Methods

The best way to fertilize your lemon trees is to fertilize them 3 times a year, its best in February, May, and then September. Organic, slow release fertilizers are going to be best.

Soil For Lemon Trees

Lemon trees will adapt quite well to desert soil to the extent that they can thrive in soil from the yard, as long as it isn’t rocky. A good way to keep the tree roots moist is to put down a layer of mulch that goes to a drip line used for watering. If you have rocky soil, do a mulch mix o 70/30 which will enhance the lemon trees ability to thrive and soak up nutrients.

While the citrus plants can adapt to most soil, lemon trees prefer a soil that is well drained and slightly acidic. The preference of well-drained soil helps by allowing you to plant your tree above ground level. This can be done by digging a shallow hole that won’t swallow the whole root on the bottom of the tree. Replace the soil and add mulch will create an almost perfect environment for your lemon tree.

Sun Exposure and Heat

Your lemon tree will require a lot of sun to produce fruit and high temperatures will be the key to producing sweet fruits. This is true for lemon trees. If you prune the tree to expose the trunk, then you need to consider painting it white or wrapping the trunk to keep it from being sunburnt. If you plan to paint it, use tree paint of dilute household paint with 50% water. If you see leaf scorch at the end of the summer, that is normal and is not a red flag. The scorching will appear more on younger trees, which can be avoided by shading them during hot months. This is helpful, but not really needed.

Growing Lemon Trees Indoors

Lemon trees will thrive if they are potted. This allows them to be great indoor plants. The same type of principle that applies outdoors will apply to indoors as well, which it comes to a plant environment that is well drained and has room for growth as well as having some acidic soil. Indoor lemon trees will normally grow no taller than 5 feet.

Ensure that your lemon tree gets plenty of sun as they will need a full day to grow to their potential and produce a quality fruit. You may place the tree outdoors during warm times and bring them in overnight or once the weather gets cooler. Doing this will help to produce fruit which they also get into a natural rhythm of night and day. Putting them outside also lets them be pollinated.

Best Lemon Tree To Grow In Arizona

The best lemon tree that adapts to Arizona climate is Eureka Lemon Trees. These trees produce great lemons that have few seeds. The lemons also hold to the tree well, which mean they don’t fall off easily.

Lisbon Lemon Trees also give great lemons and are great for desert climates. They grow well during winter.

Meyer Lemon Trees are small and look like shrubs due to their foliage. They have a good sugar level which makes it a favorite of chefs.

Pink Lemon Trees grow well in the desert climate and add a unique look with white and green foliage.

Need Professional Tree Care Services In The Phoenix Valley?

If you are looking for tree care tips or need tree services in Phoenix, give the expert tree professional at Arbor Care a call today at 480-797-5566.

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Sick Tree Symptoms

If you have been searching for “sick tree symptoms” to find if your tree is dying or sick, you have found the right place. Arbor Care Tree Care has a detailed list of common sick tree symptoms. Keep in mind that if you have a dying or sick tree in Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, or other areas in the Phoenix Valley, then our Aborist’s can help. We can treat your tree to what it needs to help it get better or completely remove it from the property.

Most Common Sick Tree Symptoms

Decaying trees are not only unsightly, they are also dangerous. Falling limbs could cause expensive damage your property. During stormy or windy weather, a toppled tree could crash through your home and cause injury or death. To prevent this from happening, homeowners need to inspect the trees on the property carefully for any signs of a sick or dying tree. Look for symptoms that we recommend below such as issues with the trunk, leaves, branches, roots and bark.

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Leaf Symptoms

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Branch Symptoms 

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Trunk Symptoms

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Bark Symptoms

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Root Symptoms 

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  1. Leaf Symptoms

The first symptom that homeowners should notice about their sick tree is excessive falling leaves. There are conifers and deciduous that will drop leaves and needles depending on their season cycle. But, a tree that begins to lose most of the leaves suddenly in spring or summer is most likely sick. Leaves that are attached but shriveled or discolored before autumn is another sign.

  1. Branch symptoms

Falling branches are also a sign that your tree is sick. While storms could snap branches off, sick trees will drop leafless branches. When you look at the branch, you will see rot or insect damage.

  1. Trunk Symptoms

The owl hole is a bad sign for a tree. Inspect the tree for any rot spaces near the base of the trunk for other sickness symptoms.

  1. Bark Symptoms

Healthy trees will have soft, pliable bark that has even coverage on the trunk, but a sick tree will have flaking, brittle bark. Often times there could be bald spots on the bark.

  1. Root Symptoms

If the roots are damaged by heavy vehicles, lawnmowers, or is waterlogged constantly, then your tree could be at risk. Look for signs of sogginess such as fungus or wood ears.

It is important that you know and find the symptoms of sickness to prevent your tree from dying and causing damage to the property.

How To Look For Symptoms

Here is how and where to look for sick tree symptoms.

  1. Check the leaves

If your leaves are falling off the tree fast or falling in large amounts and its more than normal, then your tree could be sick. If the leaves aren’t dropping but are discolored or shriveled up, then your tree could be sick.

  1. Examine branches

If the branches are falling off the tree, then you could have a sick tree. Strong winds or storms could break them off, but a sick tree will drop branches more than normal. They won’t have leaves when they drop, and if you look at them branches, there may be tree rot or insect damage which explains why your tree is sick.

  1. Look at the trunk

You do not want holes or dents in the trunk. Even though they make great homes for forest life, they are a sign that the tree is dying.

  1. Check the bark

Sick trees will have brittle, scratchy bark that may fall off while a healthy tree will have a soft and flexible bark. If the tree is sick, there may also be bald spots on the bark.

  1. Check the roots

There are plenty of things that could hurt tree roots from toys, to water to lawnmowers. If the root gets damaged, then the whole tree is in danger. Check to see that the roots aren’t scratched or flooded.

You May Require Tree Removal Services

If all these symptoms check out, then your tree may not actually be sick. It does not hurt to have a professional opinion when you are dealing with a tree that could be really dangerous if it dies and falls over. If you believe your tree is dead and would like to have it removed from the property within the Phoenix metropolitan area, then look at our tree removal area.

Sick Tree, Tree Removal
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