Tree Trimming: A Clear Cut Case

Trees come in all shapes and sizes. And whatever variety you have, they add value and interest to your property. If flowers are the Divine Divas, then trees are the character actors who bring the landscape picture together.

Trees add vertical interest, provide homes for some of our favorite animal friends, and shade and oxygen for us! So the least you can do to return the favor is tree trimming.

So when was the last time you trimmed your trees?

And do you know why your trees need to be trimmed or how often? What about the difference between trimming and pruning?

This and more we shall answer as we tick through today’s top tree trimming tips talk!

What’s the Difference Between Tree Trimming and Pruning?

Tree trimming and pruning are not the same things! Both involve clipping your tree’s branches, but the methodology and goals differ.

Pruning

Pruning is cutting off dead or sick parts of the tree to keep the rest of it healthy. Pruning can also involve removing tree branches vulnerable to being lost in a storm.

Trimming

Trimming trees is done to the tree as a hole. Generally, most branches will need a little trimming. Trimming off branches’ ends helps send energy back to the tree. Like pruning, this helps to keep the tree healthy.

In addition, tree trimming improves the tree’s appearance.

Trimming for Aesthetics

Often when people think about tree trimming, they think of topiaries. After all, arguably the two most famous films featuring trimmed trees were topiary-themed.

One of the most fun tree trimming scenes committed to celluloid was Edward Scissorhands making quick work of elaborate bush creations in the film named for him. And for a less inspiring topiary scene, you need to look no further than Kubrick’s The Shining.

What those films don’t address, and consequentially the general public is unaware, is that you can trim trees with an exclusively aesthetic focus.

Too Much or Too Little is Too Easy To Do

If you try to trim trees on your own, you risk ravaging your trees and damaging their health. Too much trimming can kill your trees, and too little will not give them the health boost that trimming is meant to provide.

That’s why we always recommend learning about your particular trees’ needs and ideally only letting professional landscapers perform your pruning and trimming.

Not only can you damage the tree’s health, but without the proper tools for cutting and the experience with the work, it’s easy to eyeball it wrong, forcing you to overcompensate or leave it with lopsided leafiness.

How Often Should You Trim Your Trees?

There’s not one answer for often you should tree your trees. But a good general rule of thumb is to at least look into trimming them once a year. So, when you talk to Divine, we’ll give you the advice you need to decide whether your trees need to be cut now and, if not, when they should be.

When Should You Trim?

The best time for trimming your trees is just around the corner. First, you don’t want to cut during the growing season. When trees grow, you don’t want them to spend energy trying to fix a perceived injury; they need all their energy to blossom.

It’s better to wait until trees are dormant. That makes them less susceptible to disease or insects. It’s also easier to see tree branches during the time of year when they have fewer leaves.

Best of all, in the fall and winter, you’re not spending as much time outdoors or spending as much money on the rest of your landscape, so you will barely notice the difference in your trees in that awkward post-haircut phase.

What Else Do Your Trees Need?

Today, we’re primarily focused on tree grooming, but as lawns need more than mowing, trees need more than trimming. Pruning is at least as necessary as trimming is.

Likewise, trees need water, food, clean-up, and mulch to protect them from weeds and the elements. About food, it’s a good idea to fertilize your trees once a year.

Finally, like people, trees need a checkup for their health. Get an expert to let you know whether your trees are healthy.

Divine Inspiration for Treating Your Trees

You don’t have to figure out what your trees need all by yourself. Divine is here to answer your questions, advise, design your landscape, and maintain all your trees.