How Much Does Trimming And Pruning Matter?

Taking care of the vegetation in your landscape can be a time-consuming, unpleasant duty. Beyond the necessary job of mowing the lawn, you've probably heard that trimming and pruning are needed. But, just how important are those tasks, exactly? If you've found yourself pondering that, it's understandable. After all, it's easy to look outside, see that everything seems to be growing fine, and wonder why additional work is necessary. But the truth of the matter is that it does matter. The answer isn't obvious, but the difference would be if you opted not to do it. Here are the basics of trimming and pruning, what they accomplish, and why we need to do both.

What Is Pruning?

Pruning means attending to the health of your plants by cutting. When you prune, you look for straggly, damaged, dying, or diseased growth and remove those unwanted elements by snipping them out. Another part is thinning, which is done to lessen undesirable growth for various reasons.

What Are The Benefits Of Pruning?

Pruning benefits your plants by encouraging more vigorous growth. When you prune away unhealthy or spindly growth, it allows the plant to develop healthier side (lateral) shoots, and before long, you'll have a more attractive plant.

Here's how that works: Plant growth is driven by internal chemical signals. By removing a terminal bud, which is the spot where upward growth occurs, the chemicals flowing into that part of the plant and telling it to grow are slowed down. Instead, those chemicals take a detour and are directed laterally. As a result, your plant grows outward instead of upward, getting fuller and bushier.

When you remove diseased sections, you shield other parts of the plant and nearby vegetation from also developing that disease. Plant diseases, like human diseases, are often contagious and spread by proximity. Of course, pruning may not resolve every plant disease, but it helps. Leaving diseased growth on there isn't just a contamination risk; it is also unsightly.

When you thin your plants by removing some buds, leaves, or stems, it allows for better light penetration, resulting in better photosynthesis. That is how your plants derive their energy. People do this to sections of vegetation that have become too dense. Additionally, you might also want to thin out the number of flowers or developing fruit on trees and bushes. The process helps the plant's reproductive system because it enables the plant to channel its energy into fewer locations, which makes for bigger, hardier fruit, seeds, and flowers. Overall, it helps optimize the plant's health, growth, attractiveness, and longevity.

What Is Trimming?

It is not that much different than pruning. You are doing most of the same things, but with a specific motivation: you are shaping the vegetative growth in ways that best complement the home's aesthetics. Or in other words, trimming is about looks.

What Are The Benefits Of Trimming?

It provides the same health benefits to your vegetation as pruning but with additional visual enhancement. Your greenery should be an integral, balanced feature of the entire landscape and home, and you should trim with that in mind. For example, a bush species might look great, tall, or short, but one particular look might go better with the house's architecture. Trimming your vegetation helps your home look its best. When done right, it boosts your curb appeal and elevates your home's value. It also contributes to the overall appearance of your neighborhood, which also matters to your neighbors. Nobody wants their home next to that house with the careless, shaggy-looking yard. Overgrown, unkempt landscapes are also a breeding ground for unwanted pests, and thick bushes are a favorite hiding place for rodents.

Hire A Professional Landscaper To Manage Your Trimming And Pruning

Pruning and trimming can be difficult tasks. They also take time, specific tools, and technical know-how. Knowing that a chore is necessary and having the time, inclination, or skills to do it are very different things. You can destroy your plants and make other costly mistakes when you do it wrong. And even when you do an okay job, it won't look as good as it could if you opt for professional help. It's wise to consider utilizing the services of a professional landscaper.

Professional Landscaping Services By Tyler's Lawn Salon

Tyler's Lawn Salon offers professional landscape maintenance, including pruning, trimming, and much more. We are the top-rated, go-to choice in the Lake Stevens, Snohomish, and Granite Falls areas. Contact us today, and we can take the tough tasks out of your hands.