As the weather cools down, your beautiful plants and trees will likely need to be pruned before winter. You might be wondering: why is yearly pruning vital for my landscape’s health and appearance? Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to trimming overgrown foliage.
1. Thinning tree canopies reduces risk of disease. If a tree has a thick canopy, reduced airflow and lack of sunlight exposure may cause mildew or other diseases. Not only is pruning important for removing dead, diseased, and infected limbs, it also reduces the appearance of these issues in the first place!
2. Unwieldy branches can become a safety hazard. Large branches that hang over walkways should be carefully monitored to ensure they don’t fall on unsuspecting passerby. Trees at the end of a driveway pose a risk if a driver is unable to clearly see oncoming traffic. In these cases, pruning becomes a safety necessity. Depending on the situation, it may be best to hire a professional to properly remove branches or even the entire tree. A tree expert or arborist can offer insight into these situations. Do not attempt to prune trees within ten feet of power lines.
3. Maintaining a plant’s ideal size is essential for long-term life and health. Regularly completed, proper pruning ensures a shrub stays at the right size for successful growth. Without maintenance at regular intervals, a shrub will need severe pruning and may not survive the stress that would occur as a result. In addition, if the shrub gets too large, the needed pruning job may result in a woody plant that is not only unsightly but also lacking the leaves it needs to thrive.
4. Proactive trimming protects your home’s exterior. Prevent damage to your house and roof by pruning encroaching branches. Keeping space between branches and structures also prevents pests from making themselves at home on (or in!) your roof or attic.
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