Caring For Your Trees

Plant a tree and nature will take care of the rest, right? Not necessarily. The trees in our yards, neighborhoods, and along our streets are a valuable asset, and require our help to keep them healthy. Proper tree care is based on science and research, not wives tales and myths. There is a “right way” and a “wrong way” to care for trees. Here are some tips you need to know to keep your trees healthy and working for you.

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Pruning Trees:

Pruning your tree is a double-edged sword. If done properly it can improve a tree’s health, form, structure and safety.
But if it is done improperly (without an understanding of tree biology) it can be the worst thing you can do for your tree, causing stress, declining health, internal decay, un-safe conditions, and sometimes tree death. It all depends on how much you prune, and the types of cuts you make, or the professional you hire.

Learn How to Prune Properly:

There are some excellent publications and resources that will help you learn:

how to make proper pruning cuts
the reasons to prune
what season is best for pruning and when shouldn’t we prune trees
how to prevent internal decay
how to improve a tree’s form and structure
how much can be pruned without harming the tree
when should I find a professional to prune my trees
how to find a professional - ISA Certified Arborist

For a copy of a Penn State University publication titled “Pruning Landscape Trees”
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uh099.pdf

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For a free copy of Penn State University’s “Pruning Ornamentals” - (the printed version of this 24 page book costs $4.00)
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/AGRS95.pdf

To view a Slide show developed by Penn State University explaining how to properly prune
http://www.psu.edu

For a copy of the USDA Forest Service “How to Prune Trees” publication
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/prun001.htm

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To view an excellent Tree Pruning website developed by Dr. Ed Gilman, author of “An Illustrated Guide to Pruning” and Horticopia Expert Notes - Illustrated Pruning and Planting
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning/index.htm

The National Arbor Day Foundation has recently produced an interactive website that allows you to test your tree pruning skills and knowledge. Give it a try!
http://www.arborday.org/trees/pruning/

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Information from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) on Tree Pruning:
Pruning Young Trees
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_young.aspx

Pruning Mature Trees
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_mature.aspx

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