All About Tree Training: A Brief Guide

Inner Accent Shape

Every tree owner wants the young trees they plant to grow strong, healthy, and beautiful. Sadly, a lot can go wrong with your tree as it grows. Your tree could develop multiple leaders and competing limbs or develop a poor structure to become a safety hazard to you and your property.

The good news is that the practice of tree training can help you avoid these problems. Read on as the tree trimming experts in Virginia Beach share a brief guide on training trees the right way.

 

What Does It Mean to “Train” Your Tree?

Essentially, this practice of training a tree helps your tree maintain the shape you want it to. It takes time, but the effort can produce beautiful trees that look healthy, shapely, and well-maintained.

However, how you train your tree from the start will determine its final structure. The last thing you want to do is rush into it or go ahead without a clear picture in mind of what you’re trying to achieve.

So, always start by really looking at your tree’s current structure and shape. Think about what is standard for that tree species and what you want it to look like over the next few years. You should also consider factors like wind exposure, tree maintenance, and tree location to avoid mistakes that could ruin your tree-training efforts long-term.

Your Tree Training Guide from Arbor Experts

With the big picture in mind, you might find it interesting to hear how the experts would train your tree. The brief guide below shares some general steps arborists follow for consistent results.

Pick a Central Leader

Your tree should have one central leader, a main stem or trunk, which smaller tree branches grow from. Multiple tree trunks only create unnecessary competition. If your tree has more than one leader, the experts will always pick one and prune the rest.

Determine Your Tree’s Framework

Once the leader is in place, the team will start identifying the branches that will make up your tree’s primary framework. These side branches must be less than 2/3 of the trunk’s diameter.

Leave the Lower Branches

Instinct might tell you to prune the branches on the lower half of the trunk, but doing so could hinder your tree’s vigor. Growth depends on healthy branches, and these lower limbs help provide the food your tree needs.

Training Techniques to Try

When it comes to tree training, there are several styles to try. Of course, the choice will depend on what suits your tree. Examples include the following styles:

  • Central leader
  • Modified central leader
  • Open center
  • Espalier
  • The “Y” system

Professional Tree Trimming in Virginia Beach, VA

Caring for young trees on your own does bring a sense of accomplishment. However, there are some aspects that do far better under the care of certified arborists. 

Don’t leave your tree’s long-term survival to chance—ask Arbor Experts about tree training, when to trim lower branches on trees, and anything else you’d like to know! Call 757-500-TREE now to request a free quote!

  

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