TREE AND SHRUB PRUNING NYC
There’s something about perfectly manicured lawns that makes any house or property in New York more inviting for its owners and the neighborhood in general. However, trees and shrubs require routine maintenance if you want them looking their best – especially during seasonal changes. Aside from watering them, pruning and trimming your shrubs and trees are crucial for their continued health. Here’s what you should know:
Tree and Shrub Care
Branches Growing in the Wrong Direction
Start by looking at branches that interfere with each other. If they cross each other, grown downward or inward – it’s time to cut them off. These branches don’t really contribute to the plants overall growth and tent to chafe against each other, creating opportunistic access points for pests and diseases. There should be enough space for air to flow into the main branch of the plant to promote circulation. Branches that grow out too low from the base of the plant can also be problematic as it increases chances of pests so make sure to prune those as well.
Damaged or Dying Branches
Torn, damaged, dying, or dead branches should be removed as soon as they’re noticed. This helps redirect the energy of the plant into new growth especially during springtime.
Diseased Branches
Carefully look through branches and rapidly remove the ones that appear diseased. Fungal growth and pests can quickly spread all over the plant which means you’ll have to double down on plant care. Make sure removed branches are thrown away and NOT composted; otherwise, it can only spread to other plants. If you notice an insect like beetles on the tree, carefully pick it off the plant.
Water Sprouts and Suckers
Finally, don’t forget to remove the suckers and water sprouts because they’re a drain on the resources of the plant. Water sprouts are shoots that grow from the top of the main branch. This helps control the shape of the plant and prevent branches from crossing over.
Suckers are shoots that grow from the base of the plant. It could be from the base itself or a few inches away from the main plant, like a little shrub starting its life. This needs to be cut off as soon as possible.
Proper Time To Prune Trees And Shrubs
The perfect time to prune a branch or a trunk on your New York property depends on the plant itself. For example, a deciduous formed shrub is best pruned during late winter to early spring. Flowering plants however are best pruned immediately after they start flowering. This helps direct blossoms development and creates a more vibrant look in your plants.
For trees, you want to start pruning during the spring season. This gives them the perfect weather to heal themselves and reproduce without being burdened by unnecessary parts. Make sure you don’t prune close to the winter season as this actually increases the chances of the tree dying.
Note that there are different styles to pruning, depending on how you want your plant to grow. Are you pruning for height, shape, or direction of growth? These are all things you want to consider if you want to create a healthy centerpiece for your yard.
Diseases - Preventive Maintenance
Different trees are prone to different diseases. For example, a cherry tree is prone to black knot while a collar peach tree is likely to have brown rot. It’s important to be familiar about the tree diseases like Oaks fungal diseases or leaf curl for plum, peach, and other nectarine trees.
Preventive maintenance puts the tree or shrub in a position where it can better take care of itself. This includes watching for pests, fungal growth, bacterial, and other site problems. This maintenance becomes even more important if your plant is close to the sidewalk; the last thing you want is for a branch ripping and falling on public property.
When it comes to preventive maintenance, the input of certified arborists is best. They’re more familiar with trees and understand how to best address infected fruit trees or flowering plants in a more permanent manner.
Tools You’ll Need For Tree And Shrub Care
So let’s say you’ve decided to maintain your lawn – what do you need to make this happen? It really depends on the kind of plants you have. A lawn mower is a pretty standard necessity for the grass. However, if you have shrubs and flowering plants, you’ll need additional tools.
One of the most important items are a pair of pruning shears. They’re perfect for shrubs and work like scissors but with a heavier blade that cuts quickly through dead branches. Cutting bigger stems can be a problem though, which is why you’ll need loppers. Loppers are best used for branches that measures at least 2.5 inches in thickness. Hedge shears are also important if you have hedges that look better with a well-shaped cut. They’re great for perennials like evergreens.
Finally, you have large trees that require more work. A pole pruner is the most common tool used for large fruit plants with thick branches. The pole pruner lets you reach the farther areas of the trees without having to climb up. Typically, they can go as high as 8 feet. However, this can be a very time-consuming and tiring job, especially if you’re not used to it. This is why when it comes to larger projects, having professionals take care of the issue is always best.
Tree and shrub pruning is a wonderful exercise and past time. But if you want to make the most of out of your plants, it’s often best to have the professionals handle the maintenance. This doesn’t only guarantee perfect results every time, it also improves the yield of your fruit trees for the season.
Speak with a professional New York City gardener about your tree and shrub pruning needs by contacting us today.