Trees naturally want to grow in the most efficient way possible to reach sunlight. Sometimes, that natural growth does not result in the safest or best-looking tree for your yard. If you have ever seen a beautiful, perfectly shaped tree in a park, you can be sure that a lot of careful trimming went into creating that look. Pruning is your chance to gently guide a tree’s growth to create a strong, attractive, and balanced structure. Here are a few simple rules that arborists follow concerning where to cut to stop bad growth before it starts.

Start Young

The absolute best time to influence a tree’s shape is when it is young. When a young tree is first planted, an arborist will look for and remove any branches that compete with the central, main stem. This is called the leader. If you allow two or more branches to compete for the leader spot, they will form a weak junction, or crotch, that is likely to split in a storm. Since a strong tree structure relies on a single, dominant central trunk, helping the tree focus its energy on that leader is a crucial first step for long-term health.

Balance the Canopy and Create a Symmetrical Look

Once a tree matures, the goal of trimming shifts to thinning the canopy and keeping it looking nice. A lopsided tree is more likely to fall over in high winds or ice storms. Additionally, when branches become too dense, they shade the inside of the tree too much, preventing air and light from reaching the inner leaves. So, removing some inner branches, a process called thinning, improves the tree’s overall health.

Eliminate Problem Branches to Keep Everyone Safe

Shaping is not only for ensuring good looks; it is also a major safety measure. A licensed tree care professional will always be on the lookout for branches that are growing in the wrong direction, such as those growing inward toward the center of the tree or those that rub against other limbs. This is because these branches create open wounds and weak spots. They also ruin the tree’s natural form. For example, if two branches cross and rub together every time the wind blows, they will both get damaged. However, if you trim one of them back to the branch collar, you stop the damage and guide the remaining branch into a healthier position.

Now that you know what goes into maintaining the health of your trees, it is vital to regularly work with an arborist. Call Urban Tree Management for trimming and pruning in Woodside, CA.