Could there be more to shrub and tree maintenance than it seems at first glance? Could trees and shrubs be interested in what needs to be done to keep them healthy? Are single patches of brown leaves among all the green a neon cry for help?

The answer? Of course, yes! It’s been said before and by someone much more eloquent, but “Life will find a way.” In this case, life shows us that something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

What’s the difference between trimming and pruning?

Trimming is the technique used to groom or shape a tree or shrubs. The shaping process can be as simple as keeping a shrub the same shape as the rest of the shrubs lining a fence or as complicated as shaping a shrub or tree into an ornamental or decorative item. 

These are generally known as topiaries, and we’ve all seen them – the shrub shaped like a twisty ice cream cone, perhaps. We’ve probably seen the more intricate topiaries at amusement parks or fairs. Regardless, keeping a tree or shrub in a particular shape is trimming. 

Pruning is usually done to get rid of broken branches or infections that can damage or kill a tree. Keeping a tree healthy is the prime objective of pruning, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Proper trimming and pruning will keep your trees and other woody plants in the prime of health and beauty and aid in producing flowers and fruit if you’re lucky enough to have trees that bear flowers or fruit. It’s almost like magic! So cut a plant and make it grow!

Let’s start with a young, healthy tree

Young trees are very prone to stress, disease, and infestations. They can also be significantly damaged by improper trimming or pruning and so will need to be handled with a little more care than an older, well-established tree might need.

Unless you have experience as an arborist, it will probably be best for your trees if you use a professional to prune or trim. This is because they will recognize tree diseases, broken or damaged branches, and infections of pests or other growths long before most other people.

You already have a relationship with EKG Lawn Services. Call them to find out about a consultation for your trees. They can provide an estimate for the care of your trees or even help you choose and plant newer trees to refresh your home and landscape.

Also essential for a new tree is irrigation, aside from normal rains and other inclement weather. The leaves and branches help the tree exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen in the atmosphere (photosynthesis), but watering and nutrition generally occur at the root level. Therefore, new trees might need new irrigation.

Older trees

Older trees have their own sets of issues to be noticed. For example, the tree by the fence has been there a long time. Some branches hang over the sidewalk and need to be trimmed, but caution! The tree has been there so long that power lines are close to the outer branches and can be damaged if you don’t control the pruning process.

Not only that, but the last storm damaged one of the older trees near the house, and now there’s a cracked branch hanging over the porch roof. That will have to be handled with care, or damage can be done to the house. Again, hire a professional.

Many older trees have other things growing among the branches or hanging from them: Spanish moss, ivy, and other infestations. These things might look charming and sometimes have a beauty of their own, but, like mistletoe, they are parasites and are intent on sucking the life out of your trees.

Hurt yourself?

Hmmm, you tried to take care of the trees yourself, didn’t you? Well, it doesn’t look too bad this time. But the tools used for trimming or pruning a tree are much more dangerous than, say, a garden trowel or hand fork tool. 

And not only are power tools dangerous. Some clippers or pruners can have handles three or more feet long or even blades at the end of an extension pole. What if you’d accidentally nicked that power line?

Some problems require working from a ladder. For example, have you seen the length of the ladder at the top of the truck or trailer your landscaping gurus at EKG use? A fall from a ladder-like could do lifelong damage.

Do other plants need pruning or trimming?

That’s an interesting question. Have you ever seen a rose bush trimmed back and pruned down to the stems for winter? Then, of course, there are no roses under those burlap bags, but come spring, the miracle works, and those bare branches burst with beautiful blossoms and incredible scents.

Other plants benefit from trimming and pruning for the same reasons as your trees. Removing damaged stems, leaves, and other parts will make room for new growth. So it’s not just flowering plants or fruit trees that benefit from this rule of thumb. This goes for every plant in your garden: removing old growth will encourage new growth. 

You will find that knowledgeable and careful pruning and trimming will help the plants manage their growth and build the structure of shrubs and trees healthily. While your trees benefit from professional pruning and trimming, every plant can benefit from the same care.

You can develop the skills to take care of your plants, flowers, edible plants, and ornamental plants. Your EKG gurus would be happy to show you how to take on some of the caring tasks for your plants, and your involvement in the health of your gardens and bedding will show your pride in your work as you encourage a whole new crop of flowers, beauty, and scent.