According to the city’s parks and recreation department, fall and winter are the best seasons to trim and prune trees. This includes trimming both tree limbs and shrubs to help with the beauty of any plant.
When pruning trees, the city of Richardson advises residents to use a three-cut method. This process starts with making an undercut about eight inches away from the tree about one-third of the way through the branch. This undercut will prevent the bark from tearing off down the trunk when the branch falls.
Residents should then cut through the branch, ensuring that the undercut is located between the tree trunk and the area being cut. The final step involves cutting away near the branch collar to remove the stump. See the attached diagram for details.
Other important guidelines to follow are listed below.
- A tree should only be pruned after it has been in the ground for a year.
- When beginning to trim, make sure to cut on the outside of the branch collar.
- Most trees that are properly planted do not need to be pruned unless there are broken branches or there are branches that have crossed/grown downward.
- Branches that are hanging lower are OK to leave on the tree as long as possible.
For those seeking advice, the Texas AgriLife Extension’s Earth Kind Landscaping program offers free, helpful online pruning tips to avoid damaging greenery and preventing disease. View the program's online guide here.
For those looking to start tree-trimming immediately, the city of Richardson said it is important to know that the guidance on pruning oak trees has changed. Parks and recreation staff said they recommend avoiding trimming oak trees between Valentine’s Day and Independence Day to help prevent the spread of oak wilt.
Insects are normally attracted to fresh cuts on trees and could potentially spread oak wilt as they travel from tree to tree. City staff said it is safer to prune oak trees in the winter because the spring and summer months are the most active times for this type of transmission to occur.
Once residents are done trimming greenery, they can pile up any limbs or shrubbery for pickup from the city of Richardson’s Brush and Bulky Item Collection service. This city service can be contacted by phone at 972-741-4111 or via its website to request a pickup. The city said locals should let the service know if any yard material can be composted or mulched to help reduce the overflow of landfills. For more information, visit www.cor.net/BABIC
