Tree Care Basics: A Starter Guide

These Types Of Trees Require Frequent Trimming

8 February 2023

Johnni Knight

Many species of trees, once they reach maturity, don't need to be trimmed all that often. You may want to have a tree care company come remove diseased or dead branches every couple of years, but there's usually no need for extensive, annual trimming. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If you have one of the following types of trees in your yard, you'll want to have it trimmed more often.

Linden Trees

Linden trees are fast-growing, and they have a really lovely, conical shape. People often use them as shade trees. However, they really do need to be pruned annually to keep them healthy and in good condition. They tend to develop branches closer to the ground that should be removed if you want to continue to be able to walk under the tree. They may also develop overlapping branches, which need to be addressed to help maintain their ideal, conical shape.

Sweet Gum Trees

Sweet gum trees are known for their vibrant, purple-red fall color. They have a pyramid shape, but as they get older, they tend to become more rounded. The challenge with sweet gum trees is that they produce quite a lot of fruit. This fruit can be really messy when it falls to the ground. If you have the tree trimmed annually, you'll generally get less fruit and have less of a mess to clean up.

Apple and Crabapple Trees

Apple trees and crabapple trees both do well as ornamental trees. They have beautiful spring flowers and fruit that look stunning in the fall. But apple and crabapple trees are also prone to fungal diseases. These diseases often start in one branch. If that branch is trimmed away, the disease often won't spread. So, it is a good idea to have these trees trimmed annually to ensure any branches get noticed and trimmed away ASAP.

Weeping Willows

With their long, sweeping tendrils, weeping willow trees make quite a statement. But you don't want a lot of those tendrils to grow so long that they drag on the ground. This can leave the tree prone to insect infestations and fungal growth. An annual pruning works well for weeping willows.

If you're not sure whether your trees need annual pruning, ask a tree care technician. They can look your tree over and advise you as to the best trimming schedule for that particular tree. It all depends on the tree's species, age, and overall health. 

For more information about residential tree care, contact a local company. 

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