3 Reasons to Have Your Fruit Trees Trimmed This Year

Reason 1: Trimming Keeps Your Tree Healthy

Think of trimming as preventive healthcare for your tree. Over time, branches can become damaged, diseased, or infested with pests. If you ignore those branches, they can spread problems to the rest of the tree. Trimming removes these troublemakers before they can do serious harm.

But that’s not all. Trimming also improves air circulation and sunlight exposure throughout the tree.When branches are too crowded, they create a damp and dark environment that helps fungi and bacteria thrive. By thinning out the branches, you’re giving your tree room to breathe and soak up the sun all while helping it fight off diseases and stay strong.

Pro Tip: When trimming, always start by removing dead, diseased, or broken branches.Use clean and sharp tools to make clean cuts, and don’t be afraid to cut back to healthy wood.

Reason 2: Trimming Boosts Fruit Production

Here’s where things get exciting. Fruit trees are like athletes: they perform best when they’re in peak condition. Overgrown branches can sap the tree’s energy and leave less for fruit production. By trimming away excess growth, you’re redirecting that energy to the parts of the tree that matter most: the fruit-bearing branches.

Trimming also helps your tree grow fruit that’s bigger, sweeter, and easier to pick. When branches are too dense, the fruit can end up small and underdeveloped because it’s competing for sunlight and nutrients. By opening up the canopy, you’re giving each piece of fruit the space – and energy – that it needs to grow to its full potential.

Pro Tip: Focus on removing branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as any that are growing straight up or down.

Reason 3: Trimming Shapes Your Tree for the Future

Trimming isn’t just about here and now; it’s also about setting your tree up for long-term success. A well-trimmed tree has a strong and balanced structure that can support the weight of its fruit without breaking. This is especially important for younger trees which are still developing their shape.

But even older trees benefit from a little shaping. Over time, branches can become lopsided or overextended. Trimming helps maintain a balanced shape and reduces the risk of broken branches to keep your tree looking neat and tidy.

Pro Tip: When shaping your tree, aim for an open center or a modified central leader structure, depending on the type of fruit tree you have. However, don’t remove more than 20-30% of the tree’s branches in a single year.

Hire Tree Care Specialists for the Job

Tree service in Mcrae Helena, GA is worth the investment. A little effort now will reward you with stronger trees, better fruit, and a safer yard.

If you’re nervous about trimming your own trees, or if you’d just rather the professionals handle it, then consider hiring a trained specialist from Arbor & Acre. We are proud to be a full-service tree company offering everything from trimming and pruning to tree removal services.