Learning how to trim a cedar tree is not very difficult. Cedar trees thrive in the Pacific Northwest and in Mexico, they flourish all year. Cedar trees are native to North America but because of their short life span, they are planted in many places around the world as well. Trimming a cedar tree is not a difficult task if you have the right tools. If you plan on trimming a cedar tree yourself, it is important that you research how to trim a cedar tree so that you do not damage your tree or make it more susceptible to disease.
The best time for cedar tree pruning is late winter through early spring, when the cold weather slows down. Cedar trees thrive best in the Pacific Northwest and in Mexico, they thrive all year. Trimming your cedar trees in the late winter or spring is healthier for the cedar trees and can also help them recover faster for the upcoming growing season. This is also the best time for any other cedar tree pruning, you don’t want to cut off the new growth. How to trim a cedar tree begins with how you care for your tree.
When learning how to trim cedar trees, you need to learn how to prune, removing branches that are not needed. Be careful that branches you are about to trim are not dead or dying because they will contribute to disease. It is recommended to check for signs of illness before cutting back any branches. The best time to perform cedar tree trimming is during the spring.
Branches that are growing in different directions are usually best trimmed using a hedge trimmer or a pair of good scissors. Some cedar trees may have special branches that grow inward such as the world’s third longest tree–the Sierra Juniper. If you are unsure of how to trim a cedar tree, you can look at photos in books or on the Internet to get some ideas. Branches should be trimmed straight down without bending back.
If you find yourself unable to reach deep roots, consider some shallow root pruning instead. You can use a pair of sharp pliers to do this. You should carefully dig up all of the roots close to where you are planning to trim. Keep in mind, shallow root pruning may cause the tree to become unstable and spill over into the neighbor’s property. If the tree has deep roots, it is important to do this process before you start the winter care of the tree.
Most people think of bark as a negative aspect of cedar trees, but the truth is there are many types of wood that produce beautiful and intricate wood patterns when cut properly. Cherry, oak, maple, walnut, birch, Douglas fir, and sometimes pine are just a few of the types of wood available for cedar tree pruning. Some of these woods will produce leaves that grow on the outer side of the trunk while other varieties only produce buds. For example, birch produces long-stemmed branches that resemble a tree rather than a shrub. These are some of the more basic branches available for pruning.
One thing that all cedar tree trimming needs to accomplish is keeping the branches short enough so they do not fall over the edge. You should consider pruning back any limbs that are beyond the edge of the canopies. This is usually done at the end of the summer season when new growth appears. Many times branches that appear to be beyond the canopies can be brought down even further by using a chain saw to accomplish this. The late winter season is a good time to perform this type of deep root pruning as well.
As you learn how to trim a cedar tree, you may also find it useful to consult books about the correct way to shape the tree. In particular, books on cedar care will give you helpful information about which branches should be cut and how much branch should be removed. You can use these books as a guide when you are cutting your tree in the springtime.
