4 Tree Pruning Tips to avoid power line hazards Home Improvement Home Security by Chaleigh Glass - July 30, 2014 4 Tree Pruning Tips to Remember Tree Branches Getting Too Close To Your Roof or Power Lines? Basic tree pruning is sometimes necessary when branches interfere with power lines or rooftops, as well as for general aesthetic reasons. Most simple tree pruning can be done by a homeowner, but it can also be helpful to get in touch with a professional for advice, or to take care of more complex jobs. Common Reasons or Tree Pruning There are three main reasons to prune or trim trees. The first is aesthetics. Arborcare Tree Service who also does stump removal has said that sometimes pruning helps maintain a desirable shape or appearance for certain trees. The second reason is safety. This includes the aforementioned reasons of branches touching rooftops or power lines. It can also include removing dead branches that could fall and cause damage. The third reason is for the health of the tree itself. This can be used to thin the crown area of the tree for improved airflow and allowing light to reach lower branches. It is also helpful for removing diseased branches. Image Credit – www.heritagelawncare.ca Here are four important tree pruning tips to get the most out of DIY tree trimming 1.Prune when the tree is dormant. The exception to this is obviously in the case of hazards, but it is always best to prune a tree outside of the growing season. For most trees, this is in the winter months. 2.Trim branches that are weak, V-shaped and narrow angles. Try to avoid trimming any branches with stronger angles that are U-shaped. It is best to remove branches that are young so that the cut does not leave a major scar. 3.Be cognizant of branch size A general rule of thumb is to prefer branches that are less than five centimeters in diameter. Between five and 10 should be thought about carefully, and anything bigger than 10 should not be removed unless it presents a serious hazard. 4.Never remove a quarter of the living crown in one go. When thinning the crown, the best practice is to remove crossing and rubbing branches and keeping even spaces between lateral branches. Tree Pruning Techniques When pruning a tree, make sure to look for the branch collar, which is essentially the base of a branch. Do not cut the branch collar or leave a large stub. Instead, cut the ridge of the branch, which runs parallel to the branch stem. Use the three-cut technique to remove a very long branch. Regular tree pruning should be done to keep trees healthy, safe and attractive. Consider hiring a profession if you have a large amount of trees.