Too often, plant maintenance is overlooked. There are several benefits to a well maintained landscape besides aesthetic purposes. Sure your home’s exterior property will look much more presentable, but pruning and trimming also allow for proper plant growth, as well as helping to control insects and plant related diseases.
Pruning vs. Trimming
The terms pruning and trimming are often used interchangeably, but surprising to most, there is a difference between the two. When you are removing the dead, loose, or infected branches or stems from its respective plant, you are pruning. Trimming, on the other hand, occurs when you are cutting back overgrown plants. Below are some of the many benefits from pruning and trimming on a regular basis.
Pest & Insect Control
One of the first benefits of pruning and trimming outdoor trees and shrubs is that pests and insects are better managed. If the insects on your property are not controlled, there can be serious concern. Tent Worms are colonizing insects that build nests in your trees and eat the surrounding foliage. While the insects might not necessarily kill off the plant, they can spread diseases, weakening the plant and increasing the likelihood of falling branches. If the plants are too close to your home, the insects can make their way into your home or invite other unwanted pests to nest inside it.
Protection
A more obvious benefit of plant upkeep is the safety of your property. Dead and diseased branches create a major hazard to your home. Your family is also susceptible to the danger of falling branches. By properly pruning your plants, especially trees, you are ensuring that your property is safe. The siding of your home can also be damaged from branches rubbing against it from harsh winds. Vines and climbing plants should also be trimmed regularly. Depending on how closely they are located to your home’s siding, they can grow underneath the siding and pull it away from your home’s structure.
Proper Growth
Just like yourself, plants need proper maintenance for adequate growth. Pruning and trimming shrubbery improve the health and strength of a plant. Structurally pruning a young plant will benefit the plant the greatest in the long-run. It will require less corrective pruning as the plant matures and is more likely to have a healthier formation. If there is a loss in shape, the plant can weaken and not have the strength to support the entire plant.
The last thing anyone wants to deal with is an issue that could have been prevented. By continually pruning and trimming trees and shrubs as needed, your home’s exterior will reap the most benefit. All plants require specific maintenance at different times throughout the year. It is extremely important to continually monitor your home’s landscape so that you can make any necessary actions as needed.