How to Trim a Tree Properly: What to Do

Healthy, perfectly shaped trees are among the first things your neighbors notice about your landscape. So, making a good impression matters. Tree trimming helps you with that. Beyond keeping branches from scratching your siding or tangling with power lines, tree trimming improves structure, lowers the risk of storm damage, and boosts curb appeal.

But not everyone always has the budget for it, especially if you’re just handling minor trims. Our guide on “How to Trim a Tree Properly” equips you with proven, safety-first methods to take care of small cuts without making a mistake you’ll regret for seasons to come. Grab your gloves and read all the tricks from the experts!

The Best Season to Trim Your Tree

The best time of year for tree trimming is between late winter and early spring, when they are dormant. This is because sap has slowed down, insect activity is minimal, and the bare branches allow you to see the tree’s natural framework. Moreover, cutting limbs in winter also means the wounds heal quickly once spring growth begins, reducing stress and disease exposure.

We recommend that most property owners perform tree trimming in late February, when the weather is cool enough and there’s easy access to limbs. There are, however, exceptions. Spring-blooming ornamentals such as dogwoods or redbuds require pruning after they blossom; otherwise, you’ll remove the next season’s color. On the other hand, trees such as oaks are best trimmed in July or August to prevent wilt.

These are rules of thumb, but if any dead or diseased limbs pose safety risks, remove them as soon as possible. No matter the season, it’s best to call our Weatherford arborists for emergency tree trimming or, if you need it, species-specific pruning and advice.

Step-by-Step Guide on Tree Trimming

Before you touch a branch, you should know exactly what you’re doing. Take your time to understand the tree’s health, structure, and growth goals. Always follow the natural shape, and never “top” a tree (this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when trimming). Use the four steps below to create a strong, balanced canopy:

1. Check the Tree’s Entire Condition

The first step in our “How to Trim a Tree Properly” guide is checking the entire condition of your greenery. Look for cracks in the trunk, a leaning trunk, mushroom growth, or peeling bark. These are all signs of internal decay and require the assistance of a professional arborist. Most importantly, identify the branch collar (the slightly swollen area where a limb meets the trunk), because all cuts should be made outside this region (else, you risk slow healing).

2. Remove Dead, Weak, or Diseased Limbs

Now, onto the actual trimming part: start with branches that are brittle or host fungal bodies. Use clean, disinfected bypass pruners for twigs under ½-inch thick, loppers for limbs up to 2 inches, and a pruning saw for anything larger. Cut at a slight downward angle so water sheds off the wound.

3. Cut Crossed Branches and Double Leaders

Crossed branches seem interesting at first glance, but they wear away protective bark, opening the door to pests. Determine one dominant leader (vertical stem) and remove competing uprights that form a narrow “V” crotch; wide “U” angles are stronger. If two limbs cross, keep the healthier, better-situated one.

4. Trim Water Shoots and Root Suckers

Water sprouts are fast-growing vertical shoots on trunks or branches, while root sucks emerge from roots, stealing energy from the canopy. As you can see, they are the opposite of beneficial for your tree’s health, so removing them is essential. Pinch them off when young or snip them with hand pruners as close to the point of origin as possible.

Tools and Equipment You Will Need

Of course, our guide to trimming trees wouldn’t leave tools and equipment out. Here’s everything you should buy to trim your greenery successfully and why:

• Bypass hand pruners: Clean cuts on shoots up to ½ inch.
  Long-handled loppers: Extra leverage for limbs ½–2 inches.
• Pruning saw: Curved blade slices through 2–5 inch branches with minimal tearing.
• Pole pruner or pole saw: Safely reaches higher limbs without climbing.
• Chain saw: Reserved for large branches; always wear personal protective equipment and follow manufacturer guidelines.
• Disinfectant spray or 70% isopropyl alcohol: Sterilize blades after each cut on diseased wood.
• Personal protective equipment: ANSI-approved helmet, safety glasses, gloves, and sturdy boots.

Keep in mind: If the job requires you to stand on a ladder while holding a saw, you’ve walked out of DIY territory. Call our certified arborists instead.

The Most Common Tree Trimming Techniques

Truth be told, how to trim a tree properly depends a lot on the techniques you use. Our arborists suggest mastering the following three main ones:

• Thinning: Selectively removing interior growth to improve light penetration and airflow while preserving the tree’s natural outline. Thinning reduces wind load and lowers the chance of storm breakage.
  Reduction cutting: Shortening the height or spread by trimming back to a lateral branch at least one-third the diameter of the cut limb. This maintains structural integrity and avoids harmful topping.
• Cleaning: Eliminating dead, dying, or broken branches throughout the canopy. This is especially beneficial after a storm, as it prevents hazards and decay.

Avoid heading cuts (randomly shortening branches) unless you are training young trees, and never leave long stubs. These only invite rot and sprout weakly attached shoots.

General Tips on Tree Trimming from Our Team

Finally, our specialized team shares their top tips to complete tree trimming correctly:

• Sanitize your blades between trees to stop disease transfer.
• Make the “three-cut method” on branches larger than 2 inches: an undercut 6 inches from the collar, a top cut 2 inches farther out to drop the limb, then the final collar cut.
• Keep live-wood removal below 25% annually; over-pruning shocks the tree.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from utility lines. Instead, call your electric company or our crew for limbs near cables.
• Water deeply the day before trimming to reduce stress, and apply 2–3 inches of mulch afterward to retain moisture.
• Document each trim with before-and-after photos. This visual history helps you track growth and catch health issues early.