Tree Pruning and Trimming Recommendations for the Fall
From September to November, weather conditions in our region begin to drop as the autumn settles in anticipation of winter. These months are ideal for the trimming and pruning of trees in the green areas of your home or commercial establishment. If you schedule tree services during the fall, you will be promoting the health of their ecosystem, thus providing benefits to the rest of the species planted on your property.
Pruning for Optimal Tree Health
If your trees have branches that have dried up because of natural aging, external damage, or disease, you want to get them pruned during the fall. Pruning is done for plant health. The service involves the assessment of the tree to determine which branches should be cut down or removed. In addition to dead branches, our arborists inspect the canopy to check for optimal structure.
When inspecting native trees such as the bay laurel and the buckeye, arborists look for crossed branches that may create friction and stress during periods of high winds. Then you have irregular sprouts that emerge vertically and extract energy from the tree; they should also be pruned to prevent deficient growth. Certain tree diseases such as anthracnose, a fungal condition, are more likely to develop when temperatures are cooler and the relative humidity is higher, so you should get pruning done earlier in the fall.
Trimming for Appearance and Safety
In addition to pruning for tree health, trimming can be simultaneously done to improve the aesthetics of your trees and enhance safety. Trimming generally consists of shape and size management; it is crucial for trees with branches that are growing near power lines, buildings, or other structures. If your trees are developing longer and heavier branches in the direction of building structures, it is recommended to trim them at the beginning of autumn, before the seasonal windstorms start rolling from the bay.
When trimming, arborists also look for heavier branches with a weaker crown base, the point where they emerge from the trunk. Even if these branches are not diseased, their weakness at the crown base poses a risk because they can fall and cause damage or injury. To mitigate this risk, arborists may choose to reduce the weight of these branches through selective trimming. In some cases, the entire branch should be removed if the risk is deemed too high; this is more common with trees planted on commercial properties.
Fall is generally considered the best time for trimming many tree species. It allows the trees to heal and recover before they enter the dormant season, thus promoting a better-looking tree when spring arrives.
When you need tree trimming and pruning services for your residential or commercial property, don’t hesitate to contact ArborTech in Hayward, CA.
