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Improper
pruning or "hat-racking" of trees, such as this one
along Coral Way, is decimating Miami-Dade's urban tree canopy |
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The
‘Myths” of Tree Trimming
Myth:
Heavy pruning helps a tree survive a hurricane.
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| Truth:
Actually heavy pruning will weaken your tree and
increase the likelihood of it falling over in the future.
Proper pruning, done over a long period, can help your tree
grow strong. However, heavy pruning is a shock to the tree.
In response to the loss of many leaves and branches, the tree
will grow many small branches, or “shoots” to
quickly replace the loss of large braches so the tree can
produce food. The new small shoots are actually weaker than
the old branches and increase the chance that branches or
even your whole tree will fall over in a future storm. |
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Myth:
Pruning should be something noticeable so I
feel like I got my money’s worth.
Truth:
When a tree is properly pruned, it should look almost the
same as before the pruning. As a general rule you should
never prune more than 25% of the canopy. If your tree looks
visibly bare, then you have pruned too much. Many styles
of pruning, such at “topping” or “lifting”,
are harmful to the tree and can cause decay or help the
tree fall over in a hurricane. |
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Myth:
Any landscape company with equipment should be able
to cut my tree. I’ll just go by price.
Truth:
Only specialists trained in proper pruning techniques should
cut your tree. Hire an arborist with their certification
from the International Society of Arboriculture to prune
your trees, it may cost you more at the beginning, but your
tree will need less maintenance over the long term, saving
you money. Never use a company that has hat-racked a tree.
Many landscape businesses have not had the proper training
in pruning and can severely damage your tree when they try
to prune. |
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