What is the best method of pruning a tree and can you recommend a good tree trimmer?
A. Pruning on all plants can be done at any time of year in Florida. In my opinion the optimum season is at the beginning of June through August, before the main hurricane season. Do not allow any hat rackers on your property. These people stub trees back so they look like a collection of sticks. Don’t hire someone who appears at your door just because he has a chain saw in his hand. Proper pruning involves cuts made almost flush with stems. Dead wood and crossing and rubbing branches are removed from the interior of the tree. When a tree is properly pruned it shouldn’t even look like it has been touched. Go for drop crotch pruning. This is more expensive, but trees do not need pruning more than every five to six years, which will be a big saving. Reputable tree companies practicing the drop crotch method may be hard to find. Make sure they follow the International Arboricultural pruning standards to insure the best care for your trees. Good companies will probably be members of the In
