tree pruning Melbourne

Trees have many uses and are often considered to be beautiful additions to our yards and homes. However, when they’re not maintained properly, trees can pose a danger to property and people! This is why it’s important for every homeowner to understand how to properly prune their trees so that they stay healthy and safe. The following seven rules will help you avoid tree pruning Melbourne mistakes that could leave your tree vulnerable:

Prune the Weakest Limbs First 

Prune the weakest limbs first. This is an important rule because it’s easier and safer to remove a limb if it isn’t too heavy, so you can use the same branch for many years to come. Prune dead, diseased or broken branches from your tree as soon as possible after they appear.

  • If a branch rubs against another branch and causes damage to either one or both of them, trim away any excess wood that could be rubbing.
  • If a branch grows too low on your tree and will eventually touch the ground, cut it off at its base above where it touches the ground.
  • If a branch has grown in the wrong direction (for example: straight up into the air instead of outward towards sunlight), shorten it so that its new direction will allow enough space for other limbs to grow freely around it without being close enough to cause problems with light exposure or completion of photosynthesis processes needed by all plants; this also means cutting back any branches growing near each other, so they have room themselves!

Follow The 1/3 Rule 

The 1/3 rule is a good rule of thumb to follow when pruning trees. It helps maintain the tree’s shape and helps it grow to its full potential by keeping it healthy, strong and long-lived.

  • The 1/3 rule, also known as the “one-third reduction” or “one-fourth” method, was developed in England in the early 1800s. The goal was to preserve enough of each branch to be able to graft it back onto the tree if necessary (usually, branches were grafted onto the rootstock).
  • The principle behind this method is that if you remove one-third of your tree’s growth every year for about 20 years, you will have removed 80% of it by then—and without causing irreparable damage!

Prune When the Trees are Dormant

Most people know that it’s important to prune trees during the winter months, but many don’t understand why. So let’s discuss this point in more detail.

arborist Melbourne

When should you prune your trees? The answer is simple: when they are dormant. Dormant means that the tree is not actively growing and puts its energy into building up its roots so it can grow in springtime. This happens from December through February, depending on where you live (or October through March). Trees lose their leaves during this time of year, making them easier to see how much growth has occurred since the previous season’s tree pruning Melbourne session. Most people think trees need lots of sunlight to grow; however, most commercially-grown plants actually benefit from being indoors or under a canopy because they get more light than they would outside!

Now that we’ve covered when to prune your trees and why you should do so at specific times throughout their lives, as well as what tools should be used while doing so, let me tell you some things NOT TO DO while doing this task.

Make Appropriate Cuts 

The first rule is to always make appropriate cuts.

You can use a pruning saw, a pruning lopper, or pruning shears for small branches and twigs. If you have large branches to work with, it’s best to use a chainsaw or even an electric pole saw, depending on how heavy the branch is. If you need to cut anything smaller than that, then your best bet is either buying yourself some hand shears or just using whatever else you have around the house like kitchen knives or gardening tools.

Conclusion

Tree pruning Melbourne is one of the most important things you can do for your trees. It will help them stay healthy, grow strong and look beautiful. By following these seven rules, you’ll be able to keep your trees looking their best while keeping them safe from disease and decay. With proper pruning, they’re sure to last many years into the future!