Reasons For Pruning a Tree

We all want beautiful, healthy shrubs and trees. They add value to a property, provide shade in the garden and compliment the design and landscaping of the grounds. Once a tree reaches a size where it becomes dangerous for the home owner to maintain, the time has come to consider hiring a professional arborist. There are a number of reasons why proper pruning is a must to ensure optimum health and appearance of your trees.

Promotes Health - Dead, diseased, damaged or decaying branches take up space in a tree canopy, and utilise valuable resources. Redundant branches also place unnecessay weight on limbs, causing stress on the structure as the tree struggles supporting the extra load. Removing these branches frees up resources, increases light penetration into the canopy, which encourages new growth and a stronger root system.

Thinning a tree's crown also increases airflow, which decreases wind-related stresses on branches and limbs. Crossing and rubbing branches tend to fail over time. Removal is a preventative measure, reducing the possibility of accident or damage during severe weather such as storms and high winds. Removing damaged, decaying or broken limbs encourages wound closure which minimises the risk of disease or pest infestation. The removal of any decaying or diseased branches and limbs helps prevent the disease from spreading to healthy sections of the tree.

Safety - Weak, dead, broken or decaying limbs and branches pose a constant threat of falling, particularly during windy weather or storms. Eucalyptus trees are notorious for losing branches without warning, and often cause considerable damage to buildings and vehicles. The proactive removal of defective branches minimises safety hazards, especially when limbs overhang homes, backyards, playground areas and power lines.

Safety pruning can be avoided by selecting appropriate tree species for the location, with strength and structure characteristics that suit certain conditions.

Aesthetics - Trees growing in natural environments are often "pruned" by animals who eat their foliage, or break branches as they move through forests. The same trees growing in suburban back yards without control, tend to send branches out in the wrong direction, and require pruning to retain their natural shape and form. Many Australian natives, such as Bottlebrushes, respond well to pruning developing thicker, attractive foliage and increased flower production.

Fruit Production - The regular care and maintenace of a fruit tree is not only important for the tree's health, but also for quality of the fruit that one day will be harvested from the tree. Pruning helps form the shape and size of the fruit tree, and direct branch growth for early fruit production and optimum fruit quality.