Did you know that the best time of year to prune trees is in the winter?
One of the great things about pine trees is that they stay green all year round. They also require much less maintenance than other kinds of trees.
This is why people mistakingly think that it is not necessary to prune them. But if you want to make sure your pine trees stay healthy and continue looking great, it is important to know the proper steps for pruning pine trees.
We’ve written a guide to help you understand the basics of pine tree pruning. Keep reading if you want to find out more.
1. Wash Your Tools Before Using Them
It is possible to spread diseases with your pruning tools if you don’t take the time to clean them before using them. This is why you’ll first need to disinfect your sheers and lopers with rubbing alcohol before you start to use them.
To do this, you will need to find a rag and cover one of its edges in rubbing alcohol before rubbing it across the cutting services of your pruning tools.
This will eliminate the majority of communicable diseases that often spread between plants.
Keep in mind that there is no cleaning method that will kill all diseases. There is always a small chance that you might spread diseases between plants.
You should make sure to wear thick gloves when you are pruning your pine tree in order to prevent yourself from getting cut.
2. Prune Branches That Are Close to the Trunk
When you are pruning a branch, make sure that you leave around half of an inch sticking from the tree trunk. And remember to leave the collar, which is the area where the branch connects to the pine tree.
It is important not to cut the collar because you would create a much larger wound on the tree if you did this, which would make it more difficult for the tree to recover.
You should also try to make clean cuts in order to decrease the likelihood that a disease will infect the tree.
3. Trim Away Lower Branches on Older Trees
It is common for older pine trees to self-prune by dropping their older branches while they continue to grow.
If you notice that your pine tree has many older branches that are dead or dying, you should get rid of them. This is an important thing to do in order to prevent diseases from taking hold of your pine tree.
Make Use of the Top Tips for Pruning Pine Trees
If you have been wondering about how to get started with pruning pine trees, it is important to know the top tips and tricks. Make sure that you disinfect your pruning tools before you use them.
For professional tree pruning, don’t hesitate to contact Green Pine Tree Service today, and let us care for your trees.