“Most species of trees need to be pruned every two years, so it’s important to find a company that you want to work with in a long-term capacity,” says Simon Tunnicliffe, an ISA-certified arborist and owner of West Valley Arborists, Inc. in Campbell. “Some tree service companies merely cut back trees, but it’s better to find one that really cares for your trees and wants to keep them healthy for many years.”
It’s also important to understand the difference between a landscaping company and an arborist. Landscaping companies deal with shrubbery, small plants, hardscapes and irrigation, while arborists are specifically trained to care for trees. Different trees respond in different ways to their environment, and arborists have the in-depth knowledge to prune them correctly and safely. In fact, most reputable landscaping companies will call upon arborists to care for customers’ trees instead of trying to perform the work themselves.
Timing is also important in tree care work. Conifers, like cedars and pines, shouldn’t be pruned in summer when their sap flow is at its maximum. Many fruit trees, such as peach and nectarine trees, should be pruned between November and January. Citrus trees, on the other hand, can be pruned just about any time. “Generally, a tree service company shouldn’t prune a tree until it’s in blossom, but there won’t be any long-term damage if it’s pruned before that,” says Mr. Tunnicliffe. “Deep-root feeding is best done between November and March—it’s wetter and easier to push deep into the soil. You don’t want to fertilize in summer because you’ll burn the tree.”
