Tree pruning is one of those essential skills that every homeowner should know. It’s not just about making your property look tidy – it’s about keeping your trees healthy, safe, and strong for years to come.
Here’s the problem:
Most people have no idea where to start when it comes to tree pruning. They’re worried they’ll cut the wrong branch or damage the tree. So they avoid pruning altogether, or pay through the nose for professional services they could easily do themselves.
But here’s the thing…
Tree pruning is actually quite simple. If you have a little knowledge and some basic tools, you can take care of most pruning jobs yourself. Of course, for really big jobs or trees near power lines, it’s always wise to find a local tree surgeon from a qualified tree surgeon services UK provider.
In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about tree pruning:
- Why Tree Pruning Matters For Your Garden
- Timing – When To Prune Your Trees
- Essential Tools Every Beginner Needs
- Step-By-Step Pruning Techniques
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
Why Tree Pruning Matters For Your Garden
Ok, let me let you in on a little secret that most homeowners don’t realize…
Regular tree pruning isn’t just an option. It’s a necessity for the health and safety of your property.
Trees left unpruned will quickly become overgrown, weak and dangerous. Dead branches can fall during a storm. Diseased limbs can spread infection to healthy areas. Branches growing too close together prevent lower branches from getting sunlight.
But wait, there’s more…
Pruning also helps your trees grow stronger. Dead, diseased, or damaged branches waste the tree’s energy trying to heal. By removing these branches, you redirect the tree’s energy into healthy growth. It means greener leaves, stronger branches and a longer lifespan for your tree.
Did you know according to latest statistics, the UK has 3.28 million hectares of woodland, with 44% of our woodlands certified as sustainably managed. With proper care, including tree pruning, we can play a massive role in helping to keep healthy trees.
Tree pruning also plays an important part in safety around your home. Overgrown branches near your roof can damage shingles and cause leaks. Branches touching power lines are a huge fire risk.
Understanding When To Prune Your Trees
Ok, so you want to know the secret to successful tree pruning?
Timing.
Different trees need pruning at different times of year. If you prune at the wrong time, you could stress the tree out and make it more likely to get diseases.
The Best Time For Most Trees
The best time to prune most deciduous trees is from late winter to early spring. That’s when the tree is dormant. Pruning during dormancy has several benefits:
- less stress on the tree
- reduced risk of disease spreading
- better visibility of the tree’s structure
- faster healing time once the spring growth starts
Trees That Need Different Timing
Spring-flowering trees, such as cherry or magnolia, should be pruned after they finish blooming. If you prune them during winter, you’ll cut off all the flower buds and have no flowers that year.
Oak trees are another special case. Never prune an oak during the growing season, which is April to October. During that time, pruning attracts insects that spread oak wilt disease.
Emergency Pruning
If you spot a dead, diseased or damaged branch, remove it right away, regardless of the season. Safety is the number one priority.
Essential Tools Every Beginner Needs
Do you need a workshop full of fancy equipment to start pruning?
No, but you do need the right tools.
Here’s the honest truth, just a few simple tools and you’re ready to go:
Hand Pruners
Hand pruners, also called secateurs, are ideal for cutting small branches up to about 2cm thick. Make sure you get a good quality pair with sharp blades. Bypass pruners work like scissors and are best for living branches. Anvil pruners work better on dead wood.
Loppers
Loppers have longer handles to give you more leverage. They can cut branches up to 5cm thick. The long handles also help you reach higher branches without using a ladder.
Pruning Saw
For anything over 5cm, you’ll need a pruning saw. These are saws with a curved blade, specially designed for cutting tree branches. Don’t use a regular carpentry saw.
Safety Gear
Never prune without proper safety gear. You’ll need safety glasses, thick gloves, long sleeves, and steel-toed boots if working with larger branches.
Step-By-Step Pruning Techniques
Ok, now the practical stuff – how to actually prune your trees.
The Three-Cut Method For Large Branches
Never try to cut a large branch in one go. The weight will tear the bark and damage your tree.
Instead, follow this 3-cut method:
Cut 1: Make an undercut about 30cm from the trunk. Cut up about one-third of the way through the branch.
Cut 2: Make a second cut 5cm further out. Cut down all the way through. The branch will fall off cleanly.
Cut 3: Remove the remaining stub with a final cut just outside the branch collar.
Where To Make Your Cuts
Make your cuts just outside the branch collar.
The branch collar is the tree’s natural defense system. It contains special cells that help seal over the wound and prevent disease. The branch collar usually looks like a slight ridge where the branch joins the trunk. Make your cut just outside that ridge at a slight angle.
What To Prune
Start by removing the “Four Ds”
- Dead branches – they’re just wasting the tree’s energy
- Diseased branches – they’ll spread to healthy parts
- Damaged branches – they’re structural weak points
- Dying branches – better to remove them before they’re a problem
Then look for branches that cross or rub against each other, branches growing toward the center of the tree and weak branch angles.
How Much To Remove
Don’t remove more than 25% of a tree’s canopy in one year.
If a tree loses too much foliage at once, it can stress out the tree. If a tree really needs heavy pruning, spread the work out over 2-3 years.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even experienced gardeners make these pruning mistakes.
Topping Trees
Topping is the worst thing you can do to a tree.
Topping involves cutting the main branches back to stubs. This destroys the tree’s natural shape and weakens the tree. If a tree is too big for its space, use proper reduction pruning, or tree removal is a better option.
Pruning At The Wrong Time
Pruning at the wrong time can stress the tree and make it more likely to get diseases. Insects that carry disease are also more active during certain times of the year. Always check the best time for your tree species.
Using Dull Tools
Dull blades crush and tear the wood instead of cutting cleanly. This damages the tree tissue and creates rough wounds. Keep your pruning tools sharp and clean.
Leaving Stubs Or Cutting Too Close
Stubs won’t heal over and become entry points for disease. But cutting too close to the trunk also isn’t a good idea. When you cut close, you remove the branch collar, which is the tree’s natural protection against disease.
Bringing It All Together
Tree pruning is not as difficult as it seems.
Remember the basics – prune at the right time, use the right tools and make clean cuts just outside the branch collar. Start by removing dead, diseased, and damaged branches.
Understand that not every job is DIY. Trees near power lines, large trees that require climbing, or diseased trees are always better left to the professionals.
With new figures from the Forestry Commission suggesting tree planting in England is at its highest level in over 20 years with 5,765 hectares of new woodland. With the right care and tree pruning, these trees can thrive for generations.
Start small and learn as you go. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it.