Why trim a tree?
Regular pruning isn’t just about looks. Done well, it:
- Removes dead, broken and crossing branches before they fall or rub through bark
- Clears roofs, gutters, driveways, sidewalks and the street
- Lets light and air through a dense canopy, which helps the grass and beds below
- Shapes young trees so they grow one strong structure instead of weak, competing leaders
- Takes weight off long, heavy limbs that are likely to fail in wind
Pruning done the right way
There’s one right way to prune and a lot of wrong ways. Topping a tree, cutting the top off or stubbing big limbs back, leaves wounds the tree can’t seal and triggers fast, weakly attached regrowth that breaks easily. Taking too much of the canopy at once starves the tree and stresses it, especially through a West Texas summer.
Good pruning removes the right branches at the right point, just outside the branch collar, so the tree can close the wound on its own. Our tree work follows the ISA’s standards, the same ones our certified arborist is trained to.
When to prune in Abilene
Dead or hazardous limbs shouldn’t wait for a particular season. For routine pruning, a few local details are worth knowing:
- Oaks, including live oaks: the Texas A&M Forest Service recommends avoiding pruning oaks from February through June, when the beetles that spread oak wilt are most active, and painting fresh cuts on oaks at any time of year.
- Peak summer: heavy pruning in the hottest, driest weeks adds stress. Light work and hazard removal are fine.
- Before storm season: thinning and removing weak limbs ahead of spring storms reduces the chance of breakage.
Branches near power lines
Never try to trim branches near power lines yourself. If limbs are touching or growing into a line, contact your electric provider first; they’re responsible for keeping their lines clear.