What Is the Difference Between Tree Trimming and Pruning?

Do you have curb appeal?

If not one of the best ways to get it is to keep your yard looking its best. Taking care of the yard often involves trimming and pruning trees.

Trimming and pruning your trees will ensure that they look their best at all times and continue to be healthy. Healthy trees not only look great but they provide good shade.

If you have questions about the difference between trimming and pruning, here is a closer look at what you need to know.

Tree Trimming

Trimming is done to remove any bushes that have become overgrown. When bushes are overgrown they stop shrubs from getting moisture and light.

Trimming focuses on removing any green shoots that may be developing. Trimming is often done for aesthetic reasons since trimming a tree does improve the overall appearance of it.

Trimming is also done when branches hang over roofs or are about to get entangled in power lines. Trimming is something that is often done once per year.

Tree trimming is usually done using a hedge trimmer. It may be electrical or powered by gas.

Pruning Your Tree

Pruning your tree will protect it. It usually involves removing any branches that are unnecessary. Often roots are removed as well.

The branches and roots that are removed are usually dead or damaged and need to be removed from the tree. If you have branches that are growing in the wrong direction then pruning helps to keep unwanted growth from occurring.

Pruning is often done with lopping shears or hand shears. However, for thick branches, a saw is sometimes used.

Trimming and Pruning The Major Differences

The major difference between tree trimming and tree pruning is the tools that are used and the purpose for which each is done.

Pruning often requires the use of shears and it involves removing bud and leaves. It will also involve the removal of branches and roots.

Tree trimming on the other hand will often involve the removal of large limbs of the tree. Green shoots are removed and the tree is shaped in order to give it a more pleasant appearance.

Depending on the time of year and the maintenance you have done in the past you may find that at any given time it is better to do one instead of the other.

Take Care of Your Trees

Taking care of your trees is important for the overall health of the trees. Trimming and pruning serve different purposes and are generally done at different times of the year for different reasons.

Make sure that when you are performing each of these maintenance tasks you hire a professional service to do it for you so that you do not damage the tree.

If you would like professional help with trimming or pruning your trees, please do not hesitate to contact us.

These Are the Dangers of Overgrown Trees

Are your trees out of control and out of reach? We need big trees to live and breathe. What we don’t need is our overgrown trees becoming more of a hazard than they are helpful. We may have a long list of things on our minds other than the trees in our yard. Don’t worry, that is a thing of the past. There’s no better time than now to start.

No one expects you to trim or prune your trees, that is a Certified Arborist’s job. You should, however, know when your trees are overgrown, and what problems they can present.

Taking Control

Trees are always growing, and need regular maintenance. More or less, depending on the health of the tree and the environment that it is in.

Trim overgrown trees for reasons beyond esthetics, though looking good is also a top priority. On-site consultation with a Certified Arborist will be informative as you learn about the general health and wellbeing of your trees as well as a plan of action to treat existing conditions and future maintenance needs.

Pruning vs Trimming

What is the difference between pruning and trimming? Is there even a difference? Though the terms are often interchanged, there is actually a difference.

  • Pruning- Removal of dead branches, or branches the are growing into power lines or property. Pruning is done annually or whenever necessary.
  • Trimming- Trimming a tree is done to help the tree grow, and also to help it look more manicured. Typically performed twice a year trimming is done for the health of the tree, and the esthetics.

Security

Pruning and trimming your trees become a matter of security when unmaintained branches risk covering motion detection lights, cameras, or allow unwanted guests to lurk in the shadows.

Safety

Overgrown trees are not only unsightly, but they are also dangerous. Dangers of overgrown trees include branches that can fall at any time, which is even worse when a storm rolls in.

The people, pets, vehicles, and buildings, etc on your property could be in harm’s way. What about when your trees fall on someone else’s property? Who is responsible when tree branches fall on neighboring properties?

Overgrown tree roots are also a danger when they take over places they don’t belong to. They, too, can be maintained.

Pruning for Pest Control

Allowing dead branches to hang out is an open invitation to extra insects to inhabit your tree. They may even be the cause of branches dying. Woodboring insects can ruin a perfectly good tree in a small amount of time.

Best Time of Year for Pruning

Cut overgrown trees while they are dormant, it is best for their health. For most trees, the dormant season is the winter. Pruning in the colder months also allows for more sun to shine through making it harder for ice to form on sidewalks and walking paths in freezing temperatures.

If you live in an area that frequently experiences high winds, you may want to increase your maintenance appointments.

Overgrown Trees

After all of that, if you are still feeling unsure of how or when to schedule your next overgrown tree service, call on the pros at Green Pine Tree Service at (214)212-2832 or online at https://greenpinetreeservice.com/. Don’t delay, call today!

Why Do We Use Green Pine Trees for Christmas?

Ready to celebrate Christmas?

The Christmas holidays are always great bonding moments for your family. One of the most important symbols of Christmas is the green pine trees used as Christmas trees. But how did they come to be?

Don’t let go of that question yet.

With this guide, you’ll learn how the green pine tree became the Christmas tree symbol. You’ll also learn about some types of Christmas trees you can use for your home. Read on and find out more:

Who Brought Christmas Trees to America?

Most Americans in the 19th century found Christmas trees odd. The first record of a Christmas tree on display was in the 1830s. These are trees used by the German settlers that made Pennsylvania their home, but German homes already had this tradition earlier.

After all, the German settlements within this region had Christmas trees as early as the late 1740s. But most Americans as late as the 1840s saw Christmas trees as paganistic. That’s why most of them didn’t accept these as symbols of Christmas.

How Did Americans Receive Christmas Trees and Other Customs?

Since Americans at that time saw Christmas trees as pagan symbols, it’s unsurprising why the country took so long before they adopted it. For example, some influential religious figures preached that Christmas trees and other traditions like Christmas carols as “heathen traditions” that defile the sanctity of Christmas. It got to the point that even the General Court of Massachusetts made a law that made anything other than church services on December 25 a penal offense.

That means people got fined for simple activities like hanging decorations. This type of stern solemnity persisted until well into the 19th century. The constant influx of both German and Irish immigrants served to undermine the legacy of the Puritans.

When Did Christmas Trees Become Popular?

Queen Victoria’s popularity with her subjects made the Christmas tree fashionable. This extended beyond Britain since the East Coast American Society adopted it with open arms.

By the 1890s, Christmas trees are rising in popularity in the United States, with ornaments from Germany arriving in the country. While Europeans used four-foot-tall trees, Americans preferred cutting pine trees that reach their ceiling.

In the early 20th century, Americans decorated their trees using homemade ornaments. Those with German heritage continued using apples, marzipan cookies, and nuts. Later on, they added popcorn since they can dye it with bright colors.

When electricity got discovered, it introduced Christmas lights somewhere down the line. This made it possible for the trees to glow for days. With that, having a Christmas tree at home became a full-fledged American tradition.

What is the Best Green Pine Tree Species for Christmas?

There are many species of pine trees reside within the United States. They’re evergreen conifers, and they’re the most common coniferous trees across the globe. Here are some great options for Christmas trees:

1. White Pine

This tree grows bundles of needles. It has this bluish-green hue with pointed tips, with flexible branches that give little to no aroma. If you’re planning to use this as a Christmas tree, avoid using heavy or large ornaments since its branches aren’t that strong.

If you plan to make an outdoor Christmas tree that can last for generations, the white pine is a great choice.

It’s because it’s the largest pine in the countries, with mature trees growing to heights of up to 230 feet tall. It can also live up to 400 years, meaning your succeeding generations can enjoy this tree, especially when they employ proper cutting and trimming techniques.

2. Scotch Pine

Also known as the Scots pine, this pine tree is another great option as a Christmas tree. It has dark green foliage and sturdier branches compared to white pine. This makes it a perfect tree if you want to go all-out with your Christmas lights and ornaments.

Scotch pine trees aren’t as tall as white pines since they can only grow up to 115 feet tall. Their needles change colors, from blue-green to darker green during the winter months. It also grows in fascicles of two.

If you want a pine tree with long-term needle retention, the scotch pine is your best bet. This means you need not clean as much when Christmas concludes. Depending on your preferences, this tree also has this medium aroma.

3. Virginia Pine

This pine tree is easy to identify because it has short, twisted needles that grow in pairs. This pine tree has short branches but it has denser foliage. This makes it responsive to trimming.

Among the trees on this list, the Virginia pine is the smallest. It’s because it’s a small to medium-sized tree that can only grow up to 70 feet tall. If you have limited spaces in your home, this tree can brighten it up.

How to Choose the Best Christmas Tree for Your Home

Now you know some types of pine trees, you now have a better idea of how they can affect your choices. Here are some tips to get the most out of your investment this Christmas:

1. Check Your Home Location

To get the right indoor Christmas tree, you must ensure that there’s a six-inch gap between the tree top and your ceiling. If you want a tree topper, double this gap. This means getting a 7-foot tree if you have standard 8-foot ceilings.

2. Consider the Angles

Look at the tree from a few vantage points, preferably 5-8 feet away. Ensure that the trunk is as straight as possible. At the same time, it must not stand out from the foliage.

Get Your Christmas Tree Today!

These are some of the things you must know about green pine Christmas trees. Use these to ensure you get the best trees around.

Do you need help with your Christmas tree? If so, contact us today and let’s talk.

Helping Humans and Nature: 6 Reasons Why Tree Pruning Is Important

As President Trump signs the one trillion tree executive order, we’re all reminded of the importance of promoting conservation and the need to regenerate the country’s forests. Apart from planting trees, the next best thing you can do for both humans and nature is tree pruning.

You see, the trees in our forests have the freedom to grow, stretch their branches, and spread out their limbs as much as possible. When the time comes, they shed old branches and weak limbs, which fall to the forest floor without much impact. However, when it comes to the trees in your backyard, so much freedom is not possible.

You want them to remain healthy and look as natural as possible, while at the same time, you want to prevent them from becoming a safety risk. This is where tree pruning comes in. Tree pruning is the process of selectively removing tree branches to improve the tree’s structure and redirect new and healthy growth.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why tree pruning is important.

1. Improved Plant Health

The most significant benefit of tree pruning is improved plant health. You see, pruning gets rid of damaged and unwanted tree branches that may have been dead or diseased. What makes this so important is that dead or dying branches or stubs can become an entry point for pests and diseases.

Diseases can then spread to the rest of the tree, which would lead to more dead branches and damage to the entire tree. This means that it’s imperative for you always to catch the dead branches on time to keep them healthy and prevent pests and diseases.

2. Reduced Pests and Insects

The next best thing about pruning the trees on your property is that it helps prevent or manage pests and insects much better. There’s a wide range of insects, worms, and pests that build nests on trees and other shrubs around your home. Most of these organisms tend to eat the foliage and suck the plant’s sap, weakening and that tree in the process.

They can also spread diseases, and if left unchecked, they could kill the tree entirely.

In addition to that, some of these pests and insects can also become annoying uninvited guests into your home, which will give you something extra to worry about. Tree pruning can help you avoid all these problems and manage insects and pests on your property.

3. Enhance Plant Growth

You may not know this, and it may seem counter-intuitive, but tree pruning actually encourages growth.

When the shoot tips are trimmed, they influence the growth of other shoot tips. This essentially means that once you prune some of the main shoots on your trees, they will encourage the growth of other shoots as well, leaving you with an incredibly healthy tree that remains beautiful throughout.

4. Enhance the Beauty of Your Trees

Talking about beautiful trees, tree pruning enhances the beauty of your trees. When you reduce the amount of wood by cutting the tree branches, you create more energy for the tree. This energy promotes growth and health for the rest of the tree, and it develops healthier leaves and flowers.

Of course, for this to happen, tree pruning has to be done correctly. If you’re unsure of your tree pruning skills but want to increase the number of shoots that grow flowers on your trees, consider hiring a professional tree pruning services.

5. Enhance the Aesthetics of Your Home

Tree pruning is one of the best ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal and maintain your landscaping.

When you trim wayward branches, you keep them evergreen, dense and proportioned in a way that looks good. You can prune your trees to a desired size or shape that fits according to your landscape, then go the extra mile and prune your shrubs as well to support your landscape layout and keep your home looking great.

6. Protect Your Family and Property

One of the best things about regulatory pruning trees on your property is that you keep your family and property safe when you remove the dead branches. These damaged tree branches can always fall unexpectedly, and it could be anywhere depending on the location of your tree.

The last thing you want is for a tree limb to fall and damage your roof, or worse, fall on someone on walkways, driveways, or children’s play areas. Pruning is especially important when approaching fall or rainy seasons because a storm can break the branches and drag them to your property.

Top Tree Pruning Methods

The pruning process is not a straight forward as just trimming any branches you come across. If you have no idea what’s involved and the different pruning methods, the best course of action may be to contact professional tree pruning services.

Let’s look at the different pruning methods below.

Thinning

Thinning is a radical type of tree pruning because you have to cut the entire shoot, limb, or branch from the point of origin.

This process is most suitable for old parts that are weak, problematic, over-mature, or unwanted. It revitalizes the tree and encourages the formation of fresh growth.

Topping

Topping involves obliterating the branches of a tree and leaving the trunk behind.

This process is most suitable for very young trees if you are looking to create trellis, espalier, or during pollarding. However, this is not a highly recommended tree pruning method and is usually best left to the specialists.

Raising

Raising involves turning the lower branches of the tree, which is mostly done to clear a path. If a tree happens to be on your driveway or walkway outside your gate, you can use this tree pruning method to clear a path for pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles.

Reduction

Reduction is another tree pruning method that involves reducing the tree’s height, size, or spread. The process consists of cutting the branch leaders or terminals to maintain the structural integrity of the tree.

The Importance of Tree Pruning

Now that you understand tree pruning’s importance, you should get to it and take good care of your trees. For professional trimming, you can always hire the best tree pruning services in your area and let them bring your trees back to life.

For professionals tree pruning, please contact Green Pine Tree Service today and let us take good care of your trees.

This Is How to Identify What Type of Tree You Have

Do you admire a beautiful tree in your garden every day but can’t put a name to it? Or maybe there’s a tree that’s looking a bit frail, but you don’t know how to go about reviving it.

Understanding the type of tree, or trees, that you have in your garden is important for your own pleasure and to properly care for your garden. There are over 60,000 species of trees in the world. But don’t let that overwhelm you.

There are some easy steps to identifying trees and soon it will become like second nature. Keep reading to learn how to identify trees.

1. Start With the Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of trees can be broken down into three broad categories: needles, scales, and broadleaf. Once you’ve identified which category the leaf falls into, you should recognize the shape, appearance, texture, and color.

By observing the leaves you can determine whether the tree is coniferous or deciduous. Coniferous trees will have pine cones, needles, or scaly leaves that are present the entire year. Deciduous leaves usually have broadleaves that fall off the tree in Fall.

This is the first step to identification, but there are some exceptions. Such as trees that have evergreen leaves that are not needles.

Leaves will also give you information about whether your tree is alive, or unhealthy.

The Shape of the Leaf

Some trees have a specific and recognizable leaf shape, such as the oak tree or the ginkgo tree. Look at some tree identification pictures as a comparison guide to help you.

Flowers

Are there any flowers on the tree? If flowers are present, this can be a really distinctive way to identify trees. For example, magnolia trees are easily recognizable by their blossoms.

Observe the Bark

Sometimes there are no leaves for you to identify, but that’s no problem. There are stories held in the bark of trees — including their names!

Bark all looks the same unless you take a closer look. Closely examine the appearance, texture, markings, and color. Things to look out for are patterns. You may see deep ridges on the surface of the bark or peeling flakes. Other trees such as sycamores have smooth or shiny bark.

Now take a close look at the color — is it the color of cinnamon such as is found on a mulberry tree? You’ll easily spot the multicolored bark of a rainbow eucalyptus tree.

Some trees, such as the European buckthorn, have characteristic bark that makes them easily recognizable. Look out for defining features such as an unusual pattern or markings.

Take in the Entire Appearance

Take a couple of steps back, you’re probably getting tunnel vision at this point inspecting the leaves and bark. Look at the overall appearance of the tree, it’s size and shape. Weeping willows have drooping branches, while silver birches are narrow in shape. Are there layered branches of a mature cedar?

What Type of Tree Do You Have?

Are you feeling equipped with the knowledge you need to identify the type of tree in your garden? Once you become familiar with certain characteristics of common trees, you’ll be identifying them wherever you go!

If you need any help pruning, removing, or evaluating the trees in your yard, contact Green Pine Tree Service. Our expert team is here to help you with all your tree needs.