PRUNING & TRIMMING
Trimming a live oak located at the corner of 4th Ave and 9th St. S
in Columbus. In accordance with industry standards, the climber is
not wearing spikes, spurs, gaffs, or climbers when trimming or pruning.
- Thin and clear
branches from houses, driveways, walks and pools
- Raise crown to
increase air flow and sunlight on beds and lawns
- Remove or cable
weakly attached limbs
- Promote good growth and healthy plants
by removing deadwood which is unsightly and may hinder development
or harbor pests, disease and rot
- Control trees and shrubs that have
overgrown their designated space and become a hazard or simply
an annoyance
Pruning vs. Topping
Why NOT To "Top"
Starvation—Good
pruning practices rarely remove more than one-fourth of the crown.
Topping that removes more of the crown upsets an older tree’s
well-developed crown-to-root ratio and temporarily cuts off the
tree’s food making ability.
Shock—The crown of a tree
acts like an umbrella to shield much of the tree from direct sun
rays. Sudden removal of the crown exposes the remaining bark tissue
and scalding may result.
Insects and Disease—The
large stubs of a topped tree have a difficult time forming callus.
The terminal location of these cuts can prevent the tree’s
chemically based natural defense system from doing its job. The
stubs are highly vulnerable to insect invasion and the spores
of decay fungi.
Weak Limbs—The wood of
a new limb that sprouts after a larger limb is truncated has a
weaker attachment than a limb that develops more normally.
Ugliness—A topped tree
is a disfigured tree. Even with regrowth it never regains the
grace and character of its species. Thus, the landscape and the
community are robbed of a valuable asset.
Cost—Topping is easier
than applying the skill and judgment of good pruning. In the short
run topping may cost less but there are usually hidden costs such
as reduced property value, the expense of removal and replacement
if the tree dies, the loss of other trees and shrubs if they succumb
to changed light conditions, and the risk of liability from weakened
branches.
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Phone: 662-328-2937 | Fax: 662-241-5706 | Email: RTSS@hughes.net
Carl: 662-251-9191 | Angela: 662-251-7633 |
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