Trees filling your yard with greenery and shade can create a beautiful aesthetic for your home.  They add curb appeal and encourage wildlife like cute woodland creatures and native birds to watch and enjoy.  However, many homeowners do not know how to properly care for and trim their trees.  While beautiful, if not cared for properly, they can cause major damage and issues for homeowners and their neighbors.

There are five major tree-trimming mistakes most people make.  The first is choosing the wrong time of year to do it.  Most people wait until their trees start looking overgrown to take the shears to them, which incidentally is also when trees become the heaviest and dense.   This is the most difficult time to trim them.  You can also damage the tree by cutting too often in the summer and burning them due to lack of coverage.  If your trees are fruit-bearing or flowering, you can disrupt blooms.

Another big issue can be using improper tools.  If they haven’t been sanitized or sharpened, they can damage the tree and potentially injure the person trying to trim them.  Using dirty blades can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, killing your beloved trees!  Hacking away at them because your tools aren’t sharp can also lead to irreparable damage.  

Third on our list is the dreadful over-trimming.  Not only does it look unappealing, but it can compromise the entire tree and also make it susceptible to bacteria, fungi, and insects.  Only about 25% of branches should be removed at a time.  If you chop more than that, the trees cannot support themselves structurally, produce enough food to thrive, or transfer nutrients properly.

Next, you may be cutting down the wrong branches!  It may seem like a simple task, but it’s very easy to ruin a tree by going for the wrong areas.  You can weaken your tree and cause it to grow in odd shapes.  Leave it to the pros to ensure healthy, even, and beautiful growth.

Finally, one of the biggest issues we see when it comes to DIY tree trimmers is the ignoring of safety measures.  Trimming trees can be very dangerous work if not done properly.   Not only can branches fall on homes, vehicles, and other people, but you can also get debris in your eyes.  The equipment is sharp and heavy and should be used by trained professionals exclusively.  

CJ’s Tree Service in Sarasota, FL is here to aid in all your tree trimming needs.  We also offer tree removal, stump grinding, and emergency services.  No job is too big for our fully licensed team of professionals!  If you have questions or would like for us to come out and assess your trees, give us a call at 520-388-0094.