Angie's LIST Guide to
Tree care and services

There are many reasons to prune a tree -- the most important being safety. Branches that overhang the house or brush against it must be removed. Branches that block visibility near streets and intersections should also be trimmed away.

Dead branches should be targeted, along with any that cross and rub against each other. The right pruning techniques will help the tree develop strong roots so it can weather the storms. Pruning is a great way to enhance the shape and stimulate fruit production.

The best time to prune is in the late fall or winter. Because the sap is not running, sap loss is minimized and the tree will not be stressed. Insects are also dormant, helping to prevent infection.

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Tree branches should always be cut at a node, or the point where the branch connects to another branch. The cut should be just outside of the ridge of bark that develops at this intersection. Angle the cut down, creating as little branch stub as possible.

Crown thinning: This technique is mainly used on hardwoods. It is a carefully and highly selective removal of branches in the crown of the tree. Do not prune away more than a quarter of the living crown at any one time.

V-shaped unions: Branches that split off in a sharp V-shape will have a wedge of bark in between that rolls in. This wedge represents a weak spot in the tree, and one branch should be removed.

Crown raising: Branches that hang low pose a problem to pedestrians and should be trimmed away.

Pruning large branches requires the right tools. Start with a rope saw that can be used to trim high tree limbs from the ground. A pole pruner can be attached to an extension pole to safely trim branches without the ladder. Portable buck saws are ideal because they are lightweight and collapsible for storage. Always clean the tools after use with soapy water to prevent spreading disease between trees.

Trees need to be removed for reasons such as unhealthy and diseased trees and trees are in the way of landscape or structures. Sometimes trees are just old and pose a safety hazard.

Property owners and gardeners can know that a tree needs to be removed when trees have dead wood of either multiple branches or the trunk. Dead branches can fall and be a danger to people or at least destructive to property. When a large branch breaks off the main tree and gets lodged within the other branches or if a significant crack is found, the tree should be removed.

The best methods for removing trees are those used by trained arborists. Tall trees that are near other trees and structures should be removed in pieces starting at the top. Trees in an open area can be cut mostly on the side toward which the cutter wishes the tree to fall.

Homeowners can save money by cutting a tree down themselves, but this is a dangerous job. Make sure you are accurately assessing the height of the tree and where it could land. If the trunk of the tree is partially rotted, it will be difficult to predict whether it will split away from your cut line. And once the tree is down, you will still have a lot of work to do.

The owner of this Illinois property elected to have a stump removed to make room for a larger garden. (Photo courtesy of Julie Glen)

What about the stump?

Often when a tree is cut down the stump can be left to rot away on its own, but if it's in the way or keeps sending up new shoots you may elect to have it removed.

Farmers used to use tractors to pull stumps out by the root, but now there are special machines that grind out the stump to below ground level.

Stump grinding is done with a stand-alone machine or an attachment grinder for a backhoe. The mechanism sits on top of a stump and chews-up the stump, spitting wood chips chipped from the stump and roots.

A homeowner can rent a stump grinder at a tool rental store, but these are dangerous machines that are generally best left to those who are well-trained. Accidents can happen with any tool and this is one that can take off your foot in a second. No matter who is running the machine, bystanders should keep a distance because wood chunks can be thrown at high speed.