Tree Care

Deadwood in your trees can cause serious problems in years to come if it is not properly removed. Dead limbs and broken stubs provide a perfect habitat for hurtful insects and fungi. When these populations are high, it is very likely they will overwhelm the natural chemical barrier that separates healthy wood from infected wood. Combating these insects and decay causing fungi depletes a tree’s energy reserves thus rendering it more and more vulnerable. As time passes, decay spreads through the trunk.

By properly pruning dead and diseased branches (leaving the branch collar intact), we remove the food and habitat source for the fungi and insects. The tree forms a wall within the branch collar to protect itself and energy can now be spent on growth and health maintenance. Many times, when large live limbs break out of trees, the cause can be traced to deadwood which has led to decay, creating a weak point in the limb. Deadwood can be hard to spot during some seasons, and, as a rule, if you can see some, there is likely to be more in the tree, which can’t be seen from the ground.

The appearance of dead tips on limbs, or what may appear to be a general dieback in parts or all of the tree, can be important warning signs for the tree owner. When a tree begins to lose leaves from the ends of branches as opposed to inner shredding due to a lack of sunlight, it is a sign that the tree is losing vigor for some reason. The tree is likely to be suffering from a combination of natural and man-made stresses. In any case, dead and infected limbs should be pruned. This reduces many stresses, enabling the tree to build it’s energy reserves and resume proper growth.

Not only is an overgrown tree often unsightly, but it can also be unhealthy. Some tree species naturally produce many limbs, which will eventually die in the competition for sunlight. If these weaker limbs are pruned before they die, the small cuts will close rapidly, the form of the tree is improved, and the remaining limbs will be healthier. Many trees also have to be pruned away from houses or to improve sunlight in a garden or lawn area. The service wires that run from the telephone pole to your home should be kept clear of interfering branches. There are many valid reasons for pruning trees, and if done properly, the health and beauty of the tree can be improved.