Why should my trees be pruned?
Tree pruning:
-
promotes good
branch structure,
-
can correct poor
branch structure,
-
reduces
potential hazards,
-
gives the
arborist a chance to examine the tree more closely than
possible from the ground,
-
improves overall
health by removing dead, diseased, and dying branches.
Should I have my trees topped?***
The short answer is no. Topping, tipping, heading back and
dehorning are all terms used to describe sever cutting back of
a tree’s crown. It is a poor arboricultural practice and
should not be used for healthy tree maintenance.
Topping:
-
destroys the
trees branch structure
-
gives multiple
points of entry for wood decay organisms
-
can turn your
tree into a hazard, creating a liability for which you could
be held responsible
-
does not limit
tree growth as advertised by tree toppers.
| Will moss hurt or kill my trees? |
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Moss is an air plant and will not hurt a healthy tree
unless it over takes a tree and covers the foliage so that
photosynthesis cannot occur. It is not a parasite (like
mistletoe which will spread and kill a tree) it basically
attaches itself to the exterior bark of a tree. |
Is there something you can do to keep moss growth down?
Spanish moss and ball moss are both natural in Florida and
will limit its growth in healthy trees.
How
do you remove moss?
A percentage of
moss will be removed with normal pruning. In Florida it is
natural to have some of this air plant in your trees. Moss can
be handpicked out or sprayed out. Removing too much moss could
do more harm to your tree than good and also be very
expensive.
| Will
mistletoe kill my tree? |
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| Mistletoe is a
parasite and will draw nourishment from the tree. It will kill
your tree if left unchecked. |
How
do you get rid of a stump?
The best and most
economical way is to grind the stump down below grade.
Should
tree cuts or wounds be treated or painted?
In the past, part
of the standard recommendation was to apply a generous coating
of a tree wound dressing to all fresh cuts. However, research
has proven that this practice works against nature’s design
and the tree’s best interest. When a proper cut is made a
healthy tree will heal on its own.
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