Need To Trim Your Trees? Tips To Help Them Heal

If you need to trim your trees, now's the time to take care of that project. If you wait until summer, you could harm your trees. Temperatures can get quite hot during the summer. Trimming branches during extreme heat could send your trees into shock. That's why early spring is the best time of year to trim your trees. It's also important that you take steps to protect your trees after trimming. Not sure how to protect your trees? Read the list provided below. Here are four tips to ensure proper healing after tree trimming.  

Allow Wounds to Heal 

If you're ready to trim your trees, be sure to let the wounds heal. Some people apply dressings to the wounds left by tree trimming. But, that process can cause serious problems for your trees. Don't paint or wrap the wounds after you trim your trees. Instead, leave the wound open so that it can heal naturally. Natural healing allows the trimmed wound to dry and heal. That process reduces the risk of infection. 

Increase Watering

If you're going to trim your trees this spring, be sure to increase watering. Extra watering is especially important during drought conditions. Trimming adds stress to your trees. Trees need more water during stressful times. Extra water improves the healing process. The extra water also helps prevent stress caused by drought conditions. Once the wounds heal, you can cut down on the watering again. 

Fertilize the Soil

If it's time to trim your trees, don't forget the extra fertilizer. Your trees will need some time to heal after getting trimmed. That is especially true if you plan to do deep pruning for rejuvenation. After they've gotten trimmed, your trees will need some extra nutrients. That's where an application of fertilizer becomes beneficial. Fertilizing after trimming lets trees absorb the nutrients they need for fresh growth. After your trees recover, you can resume your routine fertilizer schedule. 

Watch the Tree

If you've decided to trim your trees by yourself, watch for signs of infection. You might not know this, but improper trimming methods put your trees at risk of infection. Canker disease is one infection you need to watch for. If you see dead spots forming on the trunk or branches after you trim your trees, call a tree service right away. Your infected trees will need immediate treatment. To prevent canker disease, hire a trimming service for your trees.