Tree Pruning & Trimming Medford

Trees provide shade, shield us and our homes from the elements, produce fresh air, make the neighborhood a beautiful place, and increase property values. Proper tree pruning and trimming can extend the life of a tree by decades and is an essential practice if you want to keep the trees on your property healthy and thriving.

Trees may need pruning in order to:
• Remove non-viable, cracked, or dead branches to prevent them from damaging property
• Stop branches from impeding public infrastructure such as power lines, roads, and structures
• Improve sight-lines for drivers
• Improve tree balance and prevent leaning or further cracking
• Improve the aesthetic appeal of the tree or the property it exists on, such as increasing light penetration for landscaping purposes

Can I Prune Trees Myself?

Often, our clients ask if they are able to prune trees on their property themselves. Pruning and other tree maintenance may be possible if your tree:
• Has branches that are relatively small in circumference, and you possess the equipment to easily handle their removal
• Is able to be pruned from a standing position on the ground
• Is not interfering with power lines or other infrastructure
• Is otherwise healthy and not leaning, hollow, or hazardous in any way

If you decide to move forward with pruning the trees on your property, keep in mind that dead branches should be removed as soon as possible to prevent them becoming a hazard to their surroundings. However, healthy branches are best pruned in the dormant season or early spring, before leaves form and after any blossoming. This will allow your tree ample time to heal.

Tips for Pruning Young Trees

If your tree is young, consider the following tips:
• Only remove dead, broken, rubbing or crossed branches
• Don’t remove more than ⅓ of a growing tree’s foliage
• Inspect for branches that may pose a problem in the future, such as split or cracked branches, and consider them first for removal
• Never “top” a tree – avoid removing large limbs to reduce a tree’s height

Tips for Pruning Mature Trees

If your tree is mature, follow these simple tips:
• Avoid removing more than ¼ of a mature tree’s foliage, or more than ¼ of the foliage from a particular branch you are not removing entirely.
• Address dead limbs that may pose a threat to surrounding property.
• Prune V-shaped junctures, which are less stable than those that are U-shaped.
• Consider branches that may pose future problems, such as cracked or split branches, first.

If your trees cannot be pruned from the ground or are too large or hazardous to warrant self-pruning, Quality Tree Service can help. Our trained arborists have the equipment and expertise to minimize tree wounds as well as train your trees to be a beautiful part of your property for years to come.

Contact us for a tree assessment or pruning quote today.