To ensure the health of the surrounding environment, it is necessary to preserve the forests. Coppicing, which is the removal of branches from trees, is a basic operation in the study of forestry because it improves the aesthetic appearance of plants, their health status, and the ability of plants to resist diseases and pest pressure. However, there are bad ways to prune trees, and these may have a severe negative impact on the trees involved.

Here are some pro tips to ensure your forestry pruning efforts are effective and minimize harm to the trees:

Know When and Why to Prune

• Timing is key: Pruning can be done at any time of the year, depending on the intended purpose as well as the kind of tree care In particular, most of the pruning is advisable to be done during the latter part of winter or early spring for the simple reason that the trees are still dormant. It is most effective to prune the tree during the winter season, and it is recommended because diseases are not spreading and the tree can recover before spring.
• Prune with a Purpose: This means that pruning should be done deliberately with the aim of achieving an objective. Some of the reasons for pruning in forestry involve the correction of a formed crown, the removal of dead or diseased branches, encouraging shoots, or even controlling size. Knowing your goals will help you determine when to cut certain branches so that they do not interfere with your plans.

Master Proper Pruning Techniques

• The Right Tools for the Job: Take clean and sharp pruning tools with you and ensure that they correspond to the thickness of the branches you are going to cut. Loppers are ideal for cutting branches up to 1 inch thick. 5 inches in diameter, and there are specific pruning saws for the thicker branches. A clean incision is relatively easier to heal and reduces the chances of harboring bacteria that cause infections.
• The Three-Cut Method: When dealing with limbs greater than 1.5 inches in diameter, one should use the three cut method to avoid tearing of the bark. Start the first undercut 1-2 cm away from the branch collar (the thickened region where the branch joins the trunk) on the downward side of the branch. Then, make a second cut outside the first cut on the top side of the branch, removing most of it.

Seek Professional Help When Needed

• Complex Pruning Projects: For large-scale pruning in forestry, particularly on mature trees or branches that are dangerous to prune, it is advised to engage an accredited arborist. Professional tree tenders also understand trees and thus will not cause harm to the tree while pruning in a bid to improve its shape and health.
• Leaf Cutting vs. Pruning: But while pruning is selective and involves cutting branches for particular reasons, tree trimming can be said to be general in the sense that,it involves the cutting off of the crown of the tree. Hazards that may occur as a result of incorrect trimming iinclude cases where a lot of crown reduction or shaping is required, it is wise to seek the services of a certified arborist so as to get advice on the best way to carry out the pruning in a way that will most benefit the tree and not cause harm.