There are many beautiful tree types scattered across Virginia – White Oak, Red Maple, Hickory, Pine, Dogwood, and Cypress. However, when these lovely trees on your lawn become overgrown or sick, they aren’t exactly easy on the eyes. There are many signs your Virginia trees need a trim!
They’ve Become Overgrown
Like with the hair on top of your head, once trees become overgrown and unruly, they begin looking unsightly, and it’s time to give them a trim! An overgrown appearance can look like branches extending beyond their natural shape, areas around the tree that have become thicker than others, etc. Keeping your Virginia trees well trimmed will enhance their appearance and your property’s curb appeal while contributing to their health.
Dead Or Diseased Areas
Dead or diseased branches will not only detract from this beauty but also risk its overall health. When you prune away dead branches or diseased areas of your trees, it promotes healthier, new growth and prevents the disease from spreading to the rest of the plant!
Entangled Branches
Tree branches that begin rubbing together or excessively crossing over one another can cause damage and hinder their natural growth. These branches make your trees appear “cluttered,” and if one weighs down on the other, it could cause them to break away and fall, potentially causing injury. Trimming your Virginia trees promotes equal sunlight exposure and air circulation throughout the foliage.
Lack Of Flowers
Many beautiful trees in Virginia grow flowers, such as Dogwood and Sweetbay Magnolias, and are a sight for sore eyes during the blooming season! However, if you notice your trees are not flowering as they should, that’s a sign. It’s time to begin pruning. Doing a general trim all over your tree stimulates the production of blooms, in turn promoting new growth on the branches.
Foliage Is Sparse
It’s quite easy to tell when a tree is growing unhealthily, as it will begin to lose the lush foliage it once had. If your trees’foliage is sparse or there’s a heavier concentration of leaves towards the top versus the bottom, it’s a sign that it’s time to give them a trim. This will also stimulate new growth, giving your tree an even, fuller appearance!
Damage From Winter Weather
We have changing weather conditions here during the winter months, from snow to frost, to rain; this can be fun to watch behind a window, but it’s not very fun for your trees. Your Virginia trees might become damaged with broken branches or frostbite and foliage after particularly low temperatures and heavy precipitation. You can aid in its recovery by pruning away damaged branches/areas of the tree as soon as you’re able.
Overcrowding Becomes A Threat
Similarly to individual branches, becoming overgrown and foliage, your tree itself can become overcrowded with branches or stems! Excessive growth causes those branches to compete with one another for resources like sunlight and precipitation. When you prune these trees, you create enough space for each branch to have equal opportunity for these nutrients, and those trees will begin looking lovely once more!
They’ve Outgrown Their Designated Shape
It becomes an obvious sign that your lovely Virginia trees need a trim when you’ve shaped them and go too long without making adjustments. For example, if you have them in a relatively circular or triangular shape, you can easily prune away branches that have begun growing past those boundaries you set.
Pests Have Overrun The Trees
Another sign it’s time to trim your Virginia trees is if they become overrun with pests, like Gypsy Moths, Japanese Beetles, or Southern Pine Beetles. You may notice their foliage feeding, excessive holes in the foliage, and weak stems; it’s crucial to trim away any areas that have been targeted or zones where you have noticed an influx of these tree pests!
Choose A Tree-Trimming Pro When You See the Signs Your Virginia Trees Need a Trim
Trimming your trees is not the same as pruning flower buds from your garden beds; it takes the right tools and proper knowledge of the tree type to truly do the job correctly. If you’ve noticed signs your Virginia trees need a trim, City Wide Landscaping is equipped with both to make your trees beautiful once more!