There is confusion among many homeowners about the difference between tree removal and tree pruning. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do mean different things. Tree Removal Huntsville AL means just that: removing a tree from your property. Pruning means cutting back the branches of a living tree to improve its health and appearance. Let’s take a closer look at what each term means:
Tree Removal
The complete process of completely getting rid of a tree from your property, including digging up the roots and stump (if it has one). All other vegetation, including grass, bushes, and plants, must be removed because remaining roots and stumps can regenerate new trees. It’s expensive, destructive, and time-consuming; not something you should do without a good reason.
When Should I Remove a Tree?
There’s only one good reason to remove a tree: when it is dead, dying, or dangerous. Remember, don’t take down any tree unless there is no other choice.
Trees that are dead or dying should be removed to prevent their danger. They could fall on your home or car at any moment, causing severe damage. Here are some common signs of dead/dying trees:
- Presence of woodpecker holes throughout the tree
- Attacked by insects
- Rotting trunk
- Branches die over a short period
- Rotten smell
- Large bare spot in branches
- Cracks and crumbling bark
- Sudden loss of leaves during winter tree shedding period
Dangerous trees can be very hazardous for people and the property around them. You need to remove these kinds of trees as soon as possible because they could cause damage at any moment.
Tree Pruning
Tree pruning is a branch-by-branch, selective thinning of the canopy to remove diseased or dying branches and those that have blown down in a storm or broken from snow loads. It can include the removal of crossing and rubbing branches as well as those that hang over your house, pool, driveway, or sidewalks. Tree pruning can be done for many reasons, including safety concerns, appearance, and increased light penetration into the trees’ inner growth.
When Is The Best Time To Prune A Tree?
Tree pruning can be done any time of the year. However, it is preferable to avoid tree pruning during extended periods of extreme heat or cold and after a long period of rain which may promote fungal growth and diseases in the wounds left behind by pruning cuts.
What Does Tree Pruning Do?
Pruning removes dead, dying, diseased, or broken branches and those that rub against each other and cross over each other. It also includes increasing light penetration into the inner canopy and increasing air circulation among all the branch structures of a tree. Creating more open space within the canopy allows the remaining branches’ room to mature and grow stronger.
Tree Removal Vs. Tree Pruning
While they sound like similar processes, there’s one key difference: removal is about cutting down trees (usually because they’re dead or diseased), whereas pruning aims to control what remains of them after their useful life is over.
So it’s either you need tree removal or tree pruning; you should always call a professional to do the job because a Tree Service Huntsville AL knows what to do and how to do it safely. They know the right tools and techniques to use, not to take down your beautiful tree or make it in better shape without any issue after they are done.