You may be asking yourself, to trim or not to trim? Rightfully so, this question gets tossed around quite a bit. I have heard both sides of this argument. Some say that trimming trees can be extremely unhealthy, to the point of harming or even killing the tree. Others contend that you must trim trees when needed in order to ensure proper tree development and to promote ongoing growth success. Yet others opt to prune back branches in order to shape and guide growth direction. The bottom line is that once the determination has been made that it is in the best interest of the tree to pursue pruning, you will need to understand the fundamental "do's and don'ts" before picking up your trimmers, saw or chain saw.

Do make sure that you are using the appropriate tool for the task at hand. If you have a limb that is approximately 3 cm in diameter, then a hand trimmer will do the job nicely. If the branch is larger than that, for example greater than 10.5 cm, a chain saw and a trained, qualified professional would make sense. Once you determine what type of tool is needed, either borrow or purchase the supplies that you will need. There are several different brands and styles of trimmers and saws to choose from out there, so shop smart and stay within your budget. You can research online for recommended brands and products, or ask around and get advice word of mouth from family or friends. Don’t forget to buy the smaller, but important, supplies you may need such as safety goggles, gloves and face masks. Often these items are overlooked, but they are extremely important to help ensure your safety while working.

Don't remove more than 25 of healthy leaves, branches and foliage. Pruning more than the recommended estimated amount could result in your tree becoming severely injured or in potential death. If you suspect that you have taken off too much of the branches or limbs, contact a landscape or gardening professional as soon as possible. While saving the tree may not be possible, they will have the best suggestions as to what you may be able to do to attempt to save the life of the tree.

Do perform any necessary trimming during the trees dormant state whenever possible. If you are removing dead or dying branches due to an unforeseen natural disaster then this is not always plausible, however, accommodating this recommendation when within your control would be conducive to the successful overall health of the tree.

Don't perform any type of trimming or pruning on a healthy specimen unless absolutely necessary. While you may need to do this in some cases so that the tree does not grow into or over your home and cause damage, it should only be considered an option if all else fails. If you are planting a tree as a sapling, then consider carefully where it should be placed on your property. It could save you a lot of time and money in the future.

These are just a few of the most critical tree trimming do's and don'ts. Whether you are brand new to the gardening and landscape profession, or have been enjoying the honest to goodness hard work and serenity that comes with keeping a well maintained yard or garden for years, I hope that this information has been helpful in contributing to keep your plants healthy for years to come.