Tree Pruning Services For Westchester, NY

When and Why We Prune

The best time to prune a tree is during the winter, when most trees are dormant. Westchester, NY, is big “apple country,” so we do a lot of apple tree pruning for clients during the winter.

Tree Trimming Versus Tree Pruning

“Tree pruning” and “tree trimming” are one and the same to a seasoned professional. That’s because a skilled arborist never indiscriminately “trims” a tree. When a tree is trimmed correctly, it’s actually being “pruned,” and tree pruning is a serious skill.

Excessive pruning can actually kill a tree. Or, if you’re not pruning enough, your tree may not flourish or give you the desired results. For instance, unpruned trees can often obstruct the understory of a tree from getting adequate sunlight, causing lower branches to die off. Definitely not an option if privacy screening is essential to you.

And then there is the safety issue…

Pruning For Safety

Deadwood can be dangerous. A typical year of tree growth will usually produce about 10% of deadwood in a tree’s canopy. No big deal when a tree is in the woods. But on your property, it’s a very real safety concern, particularly around your home and outdoor living areas.

There is no substitute for 30 years of experience. Our seasoned pros can spot potential safety hazards a mile away before they wreak havoc on your property.

Specialized Tree Pruning

Fruit Tree Pruning:

Pruning for fruit production is particularly important–especially with apple trees. And we do a lot of winter apple tree pruning in Chappaqua, NY.

Typically, we’ll cut back to the mature buds. Take away the water sprouts, removing the new leaf growth that won’t produce any fruit buds. This is what we would consider more of a specialized pruning. And when it’s done correctly, and at the right time of year, your fruit trees will pay you back.

Birch Tree Pruning:

When left to grow naturally, certain trees are more susceptible to storm damage and disease. This is particularly true for Birch trees. Typically, we’ll see the tops of these trees broken right off and left disfigured.

To prevent this from happening, we’ll trim areas of the tree canopy that are likely to be more vulnerable to wind damage. Jagged, wind-damaged limbs don’t heal properly and often lead to disease and rot.

Ornamental Tree Pruning:

Certain trees on your property may be considered “ornamental.” Some common ornamental trees are birch, crabapple, dogwood, and some evergreens. Pruning ornamental trees and getting great results is a skill that takes years to develop.

To get the best results, it’s essential to have an understanding of the species and know the best practices for pruning. We prune ornamentals all day long, and our certified arborists really know how to bring out the best in your trees for health and aesthetics.

Corrective Pruning

When a tree is growing in an undesirable direction or has inherent problems, a “crotch” of the tree has a bad union with the trunk. We may want to remove that so it doesn’t tear off and cause problems for the tree down the road.

Need Tree Pruning?

(Tree pruning Chappaqua NY, Armonk NY, Bedford NY, Westchester NY and more)

Serving: Westchester County, NY • Putnam County, NY • Fairfield County, CT