Tips for Pruning

Posted on August 25, 2016

If there is something we love about our customers, it’s that they are go-getters who take pride in their lawns. We’re often going to their homes for routine lawn care in Wellesley, MA, but we also get questions about completing some of this work themselves. Cataldo knows some homeowners love completing yard work, like pruning, and we would never want to take that away from you! We do, however, want to be sure you’re pruning safely in multiple aspects, and have a few tips before you begin your project.

When to prune: We know that when there are dead or hanging branches that you might need to Landscapehandle pruning at various times of the year and that is unavoidable. For the less time-sensitive pruning, be sure to research the species. Consistent pruning at the wrong times of year can damage or weaken your plant.

What you need: Dependent on the size (height and thickness) of the plants you are pruning, you could use a few different tools. We would suggest have access to hand pruning shears, lopping shears, and a pole saw pruner. It is suggested to avoid power tools unless under the help and supervision of a professional.

How to cut: Encouraging plant growth is essential to keeping up with its health, so be sure to make clean, clear cuts and avoid pulling off bark. Dependent on the plant, there are specific techniques that should be used to cut branches, so be sure to do your research!

What to avoid: Though you might be looking to cut back areas of your tree, be sure you are thinning and not topping. Topping is the act of leaving only a few large branches and can both impact the trees health and aesthetics.

Use caution: When it comes to pruning branches off of trees, safety is your biggest concern for yourself, passerby’s, your home, and the tree. Wear safety goggles, a hard hat, and gloves for your own protection, block off areas where others can be hurt, and avoid cutting too close to your home or near power wires.

If you find that pruning in Wellesley, MA might be a little more than you can handle, Cataldo Landscape and Masonry is here for you. We would love to help you clean up your yard the safest way possible, and our 3 generations of experience will prove just that. With more questions about our services, call us today at (781) 304-8900.