People tend to not think of trees as something that requires maintenance. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Trees must be actively maintained if you want to keep them healthy and safe for your family. Two of these maintenance tasks will include trimming and pruning. However, what you may not know is that trimming and pruning are two different things that can be done for very different reasons.
What Is Trimming?
Trimming is something that is done to trees and other plants primarily for aesthetic purposes. You can think of it as akin to giving a tree a haircut. The main goal here is to retain the beauty of those trees. It is done to retain a pleasant shape instead of the less pleasant “overgrown” look that many trees grow into without any routine trimming over time. If you have multiple trees, trimming can be used to ensure that those trees have a more uniform look.
One of the biggest benefits of trimming is the fact that it can increase curb appeal. Increased curb appeal often translates into a higher selling price and a home moving faster off the market.
What Is Pruning?
While many people may assume pruning is the same as trimming, it’s really not. Pruning, in this case, refers to the deliberate removal of specific branches or limbs for health reasons. The overall goal here is maintaining the health of the tree for the long term. It has nothing to do with its aesthetic appearance or curb appeal. Reasons why branches or limbs may be pruned include:
- To encourage new growth
- To increase airflow
- To prevent falling branches
- To prevent structural weakness
- To remove dead wood
- To remove diseased wood
- To remove pest infestations
Taking steps like removing a branch that has been infested with insects can help protect the rest of the tree. In fact, in certain cases, such as disease, pruning bad limbs and branches may also help protect the rest of the trees in your yard from becoming infected.
Other Differences Between Trimming and Pruning
There are also some other differences between trimming and pruning that you should be aware of. For example, the best time to trim a tree is when the tree is actively growing. However, the best time to prune a tree is typically when it’s in the dormant state during the colder months of the year. Trimming may also be done much more frequently than pruning, depending on the species of tree.
If you live in the Peoria, IL area and are looking to have a trimming or pruning performed, hire Central Arbor Tree Care, for the job. We have the experience and expertise to do the job right. Don’t wait. Your trees could be in danger without proper pruning.
