3 Tips for Pruning Pine Trees

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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.

Winter Bug Treatments: How They Help Your Trees

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Winter bug treatments are essential for maintaining healthy trees. Tree pests are experts at hiding during the winter, leading many people to believe they’ve gone. The truth is, most bugs will hide within the tree until spring when it’s often too late to save the tree from damage.

During fall and winter is the best time to act to make sure your trees are pest free for spring when your trees will start to flourish again. Take a look at this guide on common tree pests and how to treat them.

Red Spider Mites

Red spider mites can be tricky to catch. They look like small red dots on leaves so they can easily be mistaken for something other than a pest. They leave webbing behind like normal spiders would so if you believe you have red spider mites in your trees, look for the webbing on the leaves.

These pests are not easy to get rid of during the warmer months and they can quickly build in number which means many trees have an infestation before owners realize it. However, red spider mites tend to group near the tree trunks in colder weather to keep warm. That’s why it’s much easier to treat your tree during the winter and quickly get rid of these pests.

Scales

Scales are particularly frustrating tree pests and much like mites, they can amount to an infestation quickly. Many tree owners don’t recognize the infestation until the tree starts to show signs of damage. There are over 8000 species of scales that can be divided into two categories.

There are scales that stay immobile and can secrete a protective covering over themselves as they feast on the host tree. These are called armored scales. Then there are scales that secrete a wax-like covering that can move short distances along the tree which are called soft scales.

Scales often look like small bumps on the tree and they breed under the cover of their protective bumps. When an infestation occurs, a professional tree service in Dallas can help you treat it.

Aphids

Aphids are commonly known as plant lice. They can be very difficult to see, being only an eighth of an inch long. They also vary in color so they can be mistaken for something unharmful regularly.

Colors vary from orange, green, yellow, red, and more. Ladybugs love to feast on aphids but an infestation of aphids is often too much for ladybugs alone. Aphids will suck on the sap from trees which can stunt the growth of the tree.

Aphid eggs will lay dormant during the winter so many owners notice a huge increase in aphids when spring arrives. To avoid this, it’s best to treat the trees before the eggs hatch.

How to Treat Tree Pests

Winter is the perfect time to make sure your tree is clear of pests and ready for spring. A professional arborist can examine your trees and look for any signs of pests or damage that needs to be repaired. There are a few things you can do to make sure you avoid insect infestations and keep your trees as healthy as possible.

The first thing you can do is prune and trim your trees regularly. This is especially important during the winter because trimming your trees could reveal pest-hiding spots. As a pest preventative, you could try using a glue band.

Glue bands are like a type of grease you can lay around the bottom of the tree that will stop insects from climbing the trunk. Lastly, you could use a winter oil or spray on your tree. Dormant oil will suffocate any insects or eggs which will prevent them from making a home in your tree.

The oil needs to cover the whole tree, including the trunk and the branches. It’s best to spray the oil and cover the tree when temperatures are high.

Although all these things are excellent preventatives for pests, there will be times when you’ll need advice from a tree specialist. Taking care of trees can be complicated but they’re valuable to the environment and your property.

Professional Care for Your Trees

At Green Pine Tree Service in Dallas, we can help you take care of your trees. If you want to make sure your trees are pest free, our specialist arborist can visit your property and carry out an evaluation. If pests are found, we can treat your trees to ensure they’re healthy for spring.

Along with evaluations, we also provide pruning, trimming, tree and stump removal, cable installation, and more. We provide the DFW area with the highest levels of professionalism and our services are second to none. Take a look at some of the projects we’ve been involved in and the testimonials from our past clients.

Winter Bug Treatments With Green Pine

Winter bug treatments can save you a lot of hassle. If you can treat your trees before pests become a problem, it will save you time and money and keep your trees looking healthy. At Green Pine Tree Service, we’re as passionate as you about keeping your trees in good health.

If you need your trees to be maintained or restored, we’re at your service. After our evaluation, we’ll give you a customized plan and specific health goals for your tree. If you think your trees may have pests, why not book an evaluation with us today?

 

The Benefits of Winter Tree Trimming

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Did you know that 40% of homeowners that have a lawn or yard hire professionals to help them keep it nice?

If you’re a homeowner, you probably know how difficult it can be to maintain your yard. It can be easy to forget about the health of your trees and bushes. However, investing in pruning tree services is crucial.

You can save yourself a lot of money, time, and stress by planning ahead. You may be wondering when is the best time to trim your trees. Pruning pine trees and the rest of your trees will make a huge difference to your yard come spring and summer time.

We are going to tell you about the benefits of winter tree trimming. Read on to learn how to care for your yard.

Better Efficiency

It might surprise you, but pruning in the winter is more efficient and can save you money. If you have large trees, a professional may need to bring in some heavy equipment.

When the ground is frozen, it’s much easier to bring supplies and materials in and out. You won’t have to worry about the heavy material ruining your ground or other landscaping. A professional will have easy access to the trees in the winter.

Less Risk of Spreading Diseases

If your tree has a disease that you don’t know about, pruning them in the spring will make the rest of your trees vulnerable. During the winter, most organisms and pests are dormant, meaning they won’t carry the disease around. You’ll have a much easier time containing the disease if you prune in the wintertime.

Easier To Evaluate in The Winter

When your tree is in full bloom, it can be hard to tell if it needs to be pruned. The leaves and flowers may be covering a portion of the tree that needs to be removed or isn’t healthy.

Hiring a tree service in Dallas in the winter will make it easier to see what areas need attending. There may not be any branches or limbs that need pruning, but you won’t know that unless you have someone come take a look in the winter when the trees are bare.

Reduces Risk of Winter Damage

In the winter, once it starts to snow, damaged and dying trees become dangerous. The snow can get heavy on their weak branches and cause them to snap off.

This could do damage to your home, your neighbors, or someone outside nearby. In order to avoid dangerous situations, it’s best to have them removed. The last thing you want is for a tree, that you thought was healthy to fall onto your house.

Pruning a tree can also influence the way it grows. It can help ensure the tree’s weight is disturbed correctly and doesn’t become a danger.

Better Looking Trees in The Spring

Your trees will be much healthier in the spring if you prune them in the winter. The branches will have time to recover and promote new growth when the warmer temperature comes.

Pruning in the late winter will also reduce the amount of time you have to look at bare trees and sticks. Your trees will be stronger and healthier after pruning them.

Less Stress On The Trees

Pruning can be stressful on trees. They need time to heal, and doing it in the winter allows that. When you prune in the winter, the trees won’t bleed sap or form new buds right away.

If you don’t wait for the cold snap and have your trees pruned in the fall, new buds may start to grow, and then they’ll freeze in the winter, and have a harder time coming back in the spring. The trees will be able to heal before pests, and other creatures come out.

Hiring A Professional

It’s crucial that you hire a professional to prune your trees. You likely don’t know what you’re looking for and may miss the signs of a diseased or dead tree. Pruning too much can also be harmful.

An experienced professional will know exactly how much to prune and where. It is also a dangerous task.

Someone who has worked in the industry for a while will know how to do it in the safest way possible. If you have concerns it’s about a tree, it’s best not to wait until the spring or summer to address them.

Common Questions

Besides knowing the benefits of winter tree trimming, you may have a few other questions. We are going to address a few common questions that our customers have.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost will vary depending on the size of your tree. However, you can expect to pay between $200 and $800.

Is Pruning Necessary Every Year?

How often your trees need to be trimmed depends on the type and their age. Older trees need to be pruned about every three to five years. Younger trees should be pruned more often, between two and three years.

Fruit trees, however, should be pruned yearly to ensure the fruit returns are sweet and abundant. It doesn’t hurt to have a professional check your trees once a year to ensure they are all still healthy.

Winter Tree Trimming

If it’s been a while since you’ve had a professional arborist come to check on your trees, now is the time to hire someone. Waiting could do a lot more damage and be much more costly.

We have a great team here at Green Pine Tree service, and we’ve helped many homeowners. We can help you too. If you have questions about winter tree trimming, don’t hesitate to contact us.