Trees and other forms of greenery enhance spaces and they bring about serenity. You have to admit it – there is no better feeling than being surrounded by trees, lush grass, bold flowers and spotting birds and butterflies fly around, especially after waking up – is there?
To enjoy such scenery, you will have to take care of the trees. The most basic form of care for trees is pruning, but in other cases, some trees are fell and the stumps removed.
Why must you prune trees?
1. Aesthetics
Unwieldy and overgrown tree branches detract from that perfect look of your home. To enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal, have the trees pruned. Note that by pruning, the trees grow healthier and you’ll start noticing fruits and more flowers after pruning.
2. Health
By getting rid of the old and diseased branches and treating parasitic infections affectingthe leaves, the trees are able to grow stronger. General tree growth is also enhanced by apical and lateral dominance.
3. Safety
Large branches leaning towards your home pose a danger to your household. The risk is heightened when the tree is rather old.
Your guide to proper tree pruning
1. Call in the arborist in winter when the trees are dormant. This will encourage new healthy growth and flowers in spring. Winter is also the perfect time to identify any trees that pose safety risks.
2. For slowed tree growth, prune trees in summer. This must be done by a professional so as to prevent significantly stunted growth.
3. Prune flowering plants when the flowers start fading.
Tree stump removal
Diseases, root damage, old age, overgrowth, and blocked views necessitate cutting down of trees and subsequent stump removal. After the tree is cut down, you may have to camouflage the stump, convert it into a set or get rid of it. Before having the stump removed, consider the following factors:
1. Hazards
Is the stump a physical hazard? Can someone trip as they walk across the lawn, especially in the dark? If it is a tripping hazard, call in stump removal experts.
2. Aesthetics
Does the landscape look unsightly with the stump in place? Or does the stump blend with the landscape? If not, can it be camouflaged? Can it be integrated into the pre-existing landscape? If none of these options works, then removal is the way to go.
3. Pests
Is the decaying stump harboring wood-boring insects that can wreak havoc in your house? If so, have it removed. Once these insects and pests get in your house, they can cause irreparable damage. Stump removal is also advisable when the trump has too many fungi that can cause diseases. The disease-causing fungi can easily spread to other trees.
4. Cost
Can you afford the cost of tree stump removal? There are affordable service providers but when removal isn’t planned for, it might be too expensive. Note that stump removal is done manually, mechanically or chemically. Burning and decay are other alternatives to stump removal. The urgency of removal matters as well.
Aesthetics, safety, and health are at the central determinants of tree pruning and stump removal. Have a professional arborist guide you in either case.
Author BioDavid Wicks is a professional arborist based in Dallas. His company offers general tree care services. For professional tree removal, trimming, pruning, and stump removal, check out his company’s affordable tree care website.
