I have always been one of those people who loves to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for others, which is why I started looking at landscaping design in the first place. It was incredible to me to see how much of a difference I was able to make by adding a few new plants, and after that first project, I wanted to help other people. I started volunteering to help friends and neighbors do their landscaping, and after a few months, I had developed quite a following. This blog is all about creating a warm, inviting yard through smart landscaping and an eye for detail.
If you have cottonwood trees growing in your yard that have not been pruned or shaped recently, then it is important that you take the time to do so. Keeping your cottonwoods properly shaped and pruned will ensure that they grow healthy and strong for many years into the future. If you do not regularly maintain the trees, then they will be susceptible to limb loss, insect infestations, and death.
Here are some tips to guarantee that you properly prune and shape your yard's cottonwood trees:
Tip: Clean and Sharpen Your Cutting Blades Before Using Them
Since cottonwood trees have soft inner wood that is prone to tree diseases and insect infestations, you should always clean and sharpen your cutting blades before you start pruning. Clean the blades using denatured alcohol, and sharpen the blades with a sharpening stone. If the blades are not sharp enough, pruning will be harder, and the tree will suffer additional trauma.
Tip: First Prune Off All of the Tree's Broken, Crossed, and Lower Branches
Standing at the base of your cottonwood tree, start the pruning process by cutting off any branches that are below your shoulder height. This will give you enough room to work and also provide better access to the tree's upper branches.
Once all of the lower branches have been removed, walk around the tree and identify any branches that are broken off or that are lying on top of other branches. You then need to cut each of these branches from the tree. The branches that come into contact with other branches will rub together and cause wounds on the tree, so they must be removed.
Tip: Trim the Upper Branches in the Inner Part of the Tree to Aid in Circulation
Your cottonwood trees need to grow in areas with full access to the sun all day long, and they need to have some inner branches removed to allow the sunlight and fresh air to reach the lower branches of the tree. You can accomplish this by cutting out about a quarter of the tree's existing inner growth.
Tip: Hire a Professional Arborist for Excessively Large Trees
Finally, if your yard's cottonwood tree is already too tall for you to be able to reach its inner branches with your pole saw, then you will need to hire a professional tree shaping service like R & S Landscaping to shape the tree for you. You should never stand on a ladder or trim branches above your head unless you are experienced in doing so.
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