Keeping an eye on those tree limbs, and knowing how to properly remove them, will really extend the life of your fence.
You made a large investment in your family’s security and home value when you installed a residential fence, but are you doing everything that you can to protect your investment? It’s always tempting to take on landscaping and maintenance projects on your own or with your son’s help, but unskilled lackadaisical tree limb trimming can be bad news for your residential fence. Here are some ways to ensure that you or your professional contractor is trimming limbs properly.
Timing is Everything
It may seem counterintuitive, but there is a right time to prune and a wrong time to prune. Every tree is has a different “right time,” so do some research on what is in your yard around your residential fence to make sure that you do the job well. For example, in Texas, oak trees should be left alone from February to June to prevent the spread of oak wilt disease. An unknowledgeable homeowner could go in with a chainsaw and put an already stressed tree over the edge, ruining not only their landscaping but also their residential fence.
Less is More
Over pruning is another huge problem that can happen when unskilled handymen take a whack at your trees. At any given time, no more than 15-20% of a tree’s total foliage should be removed. Typically, providing the tree hasn’t been left alone for years and years, only 5-10% should be plenty. If you remove too many of the leaves that make up the canopy and provide the tree its energy, you will essentially kill the tree by preventing it from producing enough food to sustain itself. When you kill your tree, it’ll eventually kill your residential fence when it topples.
Careful With Your Cuts
One of the easiest mistakes to make when trimming the trees around your residential fence is to cut branches off too close to the main tree trunk. When you do this, you are removing the collar of the branch. This collar contains special cells designed to help heal wounds from branches that were ripped or cut off. The branch collar cells help prevent disease from entering the trunk and causing structural or deadly damage to the tree itself. By removing the collar, you open a wound that cannot be closed, and open a wound that now is a direct path into the core of the tree for any diseases or pests. The wrong cut can cost you your tree and your residential fence if it falls.
For More Tips on Keeping Your Residential Fence Safe and Your Landscaping Beautiful, Contact Hercules Fence
When you are ready for a residential or commercial fence that will meet the security and aesthetic needs of your family or business, trust the experts at Hercules Fence. For more information and to learn how we can meet your custom fencing needs, contact Hercules Fence online or give us a call at 800-395-9597. We will ensure your investment serves your family for years to come! For updates and to see projects we’re working on, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest.
