Share:

If you live in an area with forests, proper forest management may include occasional pruning to remove branches that extend into your property. Pruning removes dead portions of a tree to ensure nutrients and sunlight can reach healthy parts of it, boosting its growth and protecting your home from decaying limbs. You may have many questions about the process if you’ve never pruned forest trees before, so here’s a guide to some of its do’s and don’ts.

How to Prune Your Forest’s Trees

Do:

Prune at the right time of the year.

Camden, AR forest managementAlthough you can have a professional service trees whenever necessary, it may be more cost-effective to have them prune all trees at once. Scheduling an early springtime session to eliminate dead wood prepares your trees for the warmer weather, their prime growing season.

Remove only the diseased portions.

Proper forest management requires you to evaluate the condition of your vegetation to determine which parts need pruning. By removing only decaying, leafless branches, the healthy parts of your trees will receive more nutrients and won’t have to compete with dead limbs for sunlight.

Don’t:

Remove too much of the tree.

A tree can only handle so much pruning. The very top of it, known as the crown, is where the majority of photosynthesis happens, so removing that section can end up removing a tree’s source of nutrients and killing it. Instead, prune only areas that appear dead or are overhanging, since these don’t produce any nutrients.

Prune large branches in a single step.

While short, light limbs should be removed with a single cut, it isn’t advisable to do so with large or thick branches. Cutting these improperly could cause damage to the trunk and prevent proper healing, which could leave the plant vulnerable to decay and disease. Experts recommend pruning a thick branch in at least three separate cuts, which prevents you from wounding a tree. You you need several thick branches removed, consider calling a professional service to handle the job, or check with a forest management service that your pruning is required.

 

Forest management requires extensive care and expertise, but you don’t have to do it alone. Landowners throughout Camden, AR, trust the experts at Neeley Forestry Services for all of their land management needs. Whether your goal is to establish a profitable forest or you want to boost the appearance of your trees, their foresters can help you find a solution. Visit them online to learn more about what they do, or call (870) 836-5981 to speak to a representative.

tracking