So many of my clients are surprised that the little sapling they planted is now a huge tree. It's important when you plan your garden and start planting trees to understand how big they will grow and to keep them maintained in a way that supports how you use your garden. Arborists can help your tree grow in the shape and direction that you want so that the garden is perfect for your family. My blog has tips for the home owner on keeping your tree healthy and, of course, tips on when to use an arborist to get the perfect result.
The hot days of summer are finally over, and now that autumn has arrived, it is time to take care of all garden maintenance before winter begins and your plants stop growing completely. If you are someone who wants to prune their shrubs but who has never tackled this task before, here are three tips to help get you started. If you do get stuck along the way, remember that your local arborist is able to help with both shrub and tree pruning advice.
Sharp Blade For Cutting
Before you start pruning your shrubs, it is imperative that you have a sharp, clean blade to use. If the blade is dull, then you could rip the shrub rather than give it a clean cut. A rip damages the shrub and leaves it open for infection. If the blade is dirty, you also leave the shrub open to infection, and an infection which takes hold can kill your shrub. If you don't have the means to sharpen or clean your cutting blade, then either head to your home hardware store to buy a new one or hire an arborist to do the task for you.
Angle Your Cuts
When you cut a shrub branch, you never want to do a straight cut and down horizontal cut on the branch. Horizontal cuts cause the shrub to regrow faster than an angled cut. Too much growth at once causes stress on the shrub which can ultimately kill it. Instead, cut your branches at a 45-degree angle. This is much less stressful to the plant, and that is important as it enters a period of winter growth dormancy.
Cut Biggest Branches First
When you prune a shrub, you never want to remove more than one-third of its growth. Any more than that can cause the shrub to go into shock and die. Therefore, start cutting back the biggest branches first. The reason for this is that these are the most visible ones. As your goal is to make the shrub more visually attractive, it makes sense to tackle the branches which impact that visual aesthetic the most. By tending to the biggest branches, you may find there is no need to touch any of the smaller branches. This saves time and labour effort while protecting the overall health of your tree.
If you start tackling this task and feel that you are not doing your shrubs the justice they deserve, then call an arborist and get them to complete the job for you. It is better to have a professional tackle this job so that you know your shrubs will remain healthy while looking good over the autumn and winter months ahead.
Share25 April 2019
