Your trees are a big part of your landscaping, adding shade and beauty to your yard. Still, you might be noticing that your trees have started to overtake other aspects of your landscaping or that they are not looking as healthy as they did in years past.

While you might think the answer is to take off a few branches here and there, the truth is that there is a difference between tree trimming and tree pruning. Both have their uses, but how you use them can greatly impact the health of your trees. Let’s learn about the differences and how an ISA certified arborist can assist in determining which one is needed.

What is Tree Trimming?

Tree trimming focuses on your tree’s aesthetics, thus maintaining its shape and appearance. It is likely necessary if your trees have started looking misshapen, scraggly, or unbalanced, thus making them impede on other plants or landscaping. Overgrowth can also impact your tree’s health since any extra branches can prevent other areas of the tree from getting needed moisture, nutrients, and light, so the tree cannot thrive.

With a tree trimming, there is a thinning out of overgrown branches, thus helping the tree look good and thrive. Unsightly green shoots are removed for a better design and to keep your trees looking clean. Small branches and leaves can also be removed during this process.

What is Tree Pruning?

On the other hand, tree pruning helps enhance the tree’s shape and beauty while also focusing on its future health. Pruning can protect against pests and diseases while also promoting strong growth. Dead, diseased, and loose branches are removed, thus allowing the tree to flourish.

Growths that might interfere with other parts of the tree are also removed, such as branches crossing over one another. ISA certified arborists are trained to determine what needs to be removed to maintain the health of your trees since they target specific branches.

The long-term health of your trees often depends on how well they are pruned. This is also the time to get rid of weak branches, thus allowing your trees to use their resources to feed the strong and healthy ones. But how can you determine whether your trees need to be pruned or trimmed?

How Do You Know What Your Trees Need?

While tree trimming and tree pruning are often used interchangeably, the truth is that each one has a different goal for your trees. Working with a certified arborist, you can determine your trees’ needs for their current beauty and long-term well-being.

Additionally, your ISA certified arborist will know how frequently your trees should be trimmed or pruned. Typically, tree trimming is done once or twice per year. Tree pruning is more strategic and happens at specific times, although the exact time depends on your species.

Before determining the best choice for your trees, talk with an arborist who can put together a plan to get and keep your trees healthy for years to come. Contact our team today to schedule an assessment of your trees.

Recognized as a top tree care company, Tree Barber Enterprises serves thousands of residential and business customers in North County San Diego. Our Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Workers are highly skilled and extensively trained in the latest arboriculture techniques, which enables us to perform our tasks quickly, safely, and economically.