How Often Should I Have My Trees Trimmed?

Trees play a vital role in local ecosystems across the country, so it’s crucial that they’re properly maintained and able to thrive. 

With autumn very much upon us, it’s now the time of year when we’re most likely to notice differences in our trees. Most trees will now start preparing for winter, entering a dormant state that is recognisable by the shedding of their leaves.    

At this time of year, many people will be thinking about their tree maintenance, and the team here at R&J Landscapes (London) is here to help. As experts in all aspects of landscaping and gardening, we know a thing or two about tree surgery and have put together this handy blog outlining everything you need to know about tree trimming, including how often it should occur.  

Why should trees be trimmed?

Before we delve into how often you should trim your trees, it’s important to understand why it’s necessary to do so.     

Tree trimming refers to the act of shortening branches throughout the tree in order to make it neater and smaller. While one of the main reasons people do this is for aesthetic purposes, there are actually a number of other reasons why it’s important.

Primarily, tree trimming will help ensure the safety of anyone in the vicinity of the tree. If there are any overhanging branches that are dying or decaying, they could fall at a moment’s notice. A branch landing on somebody below can be extremely dangerous and lead to a serious injury or worse. Therefore, whether you own a domestic or commercial property, it’s vital you have your trees trimmed to ensure this doesn’t occur. 

As well as ensuring your tree is safe, tree trimming will keep it in a healthy condition. Tree trimming removes any unhealthy or diseased parts of the tree so the issue doesn’t spread to the rest of it and create further problems.       

How often should I have my trees trimmed?

The type of tree you own will dictate how regularly it should be trimmed: 

• Mature trees should be trimmed every 3-5 years 
• Young trees should be trimmed every 2-3 years 
• Fruit trees can be trimmed on an annual basis 
• Evergreen trees can go many years without being trimmed

It’s important to not over-trim your tree. Doing so too often causes the number of leaves will be significantly reduced, meaning it will be harder for the tree to generate food. This will weaken the tree, and make it more susceptible to disease and pests. 

If you’re unsure whether your tree needs a trim, always get in touch with an expert who can advise you. 

When is the best time for tree trimming?

The best time of year to prune or trim your tree is when it’s going through its dormant stage. This occurs during the autumn and winter months, meaning later in the year is the best time to get it done.

While less ideal than autumn or winter, summer is also an acceptable time for trimming as the tree will be actively growing, meaning it can be cut fairly quickly. Spring is the worst time of all as this is when the tree is using all of the energy it stored over the winter months to produce new flowers and leaves. 

Here at R&J Landscapes (London), we provide a whole host of landscaping services to domestic and commercial properties in Watford, Harrow and the surrounding areas. This includes tree surgery where we can keep your tree healthy and looking its best. To find out more, get in touch with our team today.