To keep your trees healthy, experienced gardeners recommend pruning them regularly. Fall is the perfect time to get started. So to ensure a quality result this season, your tools must be chosen with care depending on the type of branch you will encounter.
When to prune a tree?
Are you about to prune your tree? Ask yourself a few questions first. Indeed, the period and the frequency of pruning depend a lot on the climate and the type of tree.
In temperate climates, softwood trees such as firs are best maintained in spring or autumn, with gentle pruning approximately every three years.
For deciduous non-fruit trees (plane tree, birch, etc.), it is generally considered that the good maintenance period is between November and March.
Finally, for fruit trees, special attention promotes good fruit development from year to year. In particular, after the fruiting period, pruning to give it a specific shape (depending on the species) will help the tree produce fruit more efficiently the following year.
Pruning will be called “winter pruning” when done on a tree that has lost its leaves, and “green pruning” when specifically targeting young twigs while the tree is in leaf. In summary:
Resinous trees to be pruned every 3 years in spring or autumn;
Leafy non-fruit trees to be pruned between November and March;
Fruit trees to be pruned according to the fruiting period
What tools to prune a tree?
The tools for pruning a tree are very numerous and depend a lot on the kind of technique you are going to use. Be aware that the bigger and older the tree, the more heavy, complex, Outdoor power equipment you will need.
The pruner
The pruner is the gardener’s basic tool. With any luck, you already have one. To prune stems and branches with a diameter of 15 to 30 mm, you will not need more than a pruner.
Easy to handle, you can use it with one hand. There are two main types of pruners: manual pruners and power-assisted pruners. These are generally reserved for professionals and are much more expensive.
The pruning saw
The pruning saw or pruning saw is a bit like the gardener’s Swiss army knife. It allows you to easily cut a branch that is in the way, to clear up the inside of an old shrub, or even prune an old tree.
If the branches to be cut are 35 to 40 millimeters in diameter, the secateurs will not be enough for you and it is towards the pruning saw that you will have to go.
The saw can be fixed, folding or even retractable. The blade can be straight or curved or with 2 or 3 levels. Curved blades allow working overhead, over the shoulder and are much more efficient than straight blades because they require less pulling effort.
To reach higher branches on fruit trees for example, you can completely attach your pruning saw to a telescopic branch. There are different lengths of poles that can reach up to 9 meters.
Pruner
The pruner makes it possible to cut branches with a diameter of more than 45 millimeters. The pruner is comparable to a large pruner that offers a relatively large cutting surface. It is used with two hands and therefore requires some strength and skill.
The chainsaw
Once you exceed the thickness of 45 millimeters or perform a more supported pruning, it is necessary to bring a chainsaw. If you have the possibility, you can also use work vehicles to reach the heights of the tree.
Be careful though, a chainsaw is not a toy and this kind of pruning is reserved for professionals. An inexperienced person will take the risk of injuring themselves, but also of damaging the tree.
How to prune a tree safely?
Generally carried out by professionals, pruning a tree can be dangerous, especially when carried out by individuals without experience. If you choose to prune a tree in your garden yourself, you must above all ensure that your equipment is of good quality. Always remember to check the condition of your equipment before venturing far from the ground.
You absolutely need a harness, a harness, and a protective belt to prevent falls. Professionals very often use an aerial work platform for work on very high trees.
Once secured, put on protective gear that will allow you to be protected against injuries from pruning tools: cut-resistant clothing, gloves and protective goggles. Wear shoes suitable for this type of work. The wrong shoes could cause you to lose your balance easily.
Also, think about the safety helmet to protect you in case of falling branches.