Big Darby Tree Services LLC

Big Darby Forestry Consulting will now be under Big Darby Tree Services as it better encapsulates all the services that Big Darby Provides from woodland stewardship management plans and invasives treatment to urban tree preservation and establishment. The original emails and phone number will still be used. For any forestry related matters use [email protected] and any urban tree related matters use [email protected]. Of course you can also submit a request for for either services grouping through the website at www.bigdarbytree.com
Thank you!

Elliot Smith, CUCF
Owner
Certified Arborist OH- 6960A

Had the chance to deadwood a large red oak along the Scioto river today. It was one of the last days to prune oaks in central Ohio until next winter.

Professional shots of this climb coming soon!

Why Prune Your Yard Trees?

Yard trees, often referred to as open grown, tend to have very good light availability which they take advantage of by growing additional branches with additional leaves to collect more sunlight. Forested trees compete with one another causing them to grow much straighter. A healthy forest grown tree will produce fewer branches and leaves as it’s inefficient to have leaves that aren't collecting light. The light is brightest at the top where other trees aren't blocking light. Some species groups like maple are adapted to lower light conditions and are considered shade tolerant.

Open grown trees, while aesthetically pleasing, tend to produce too many branches causing them to cross which given time will lead to rubbing branches. Rubbing produces wounds that stress the tree and attract pests and disease which stress the tree further. By pruning on regular intervals we can prevent many problems.
Training a tree when it’s younger is crucial for the tree to be healthy and live long. Techniques from young tree training will address multiple leaders, ladder branching, future clearance requirements and deadwood. As trees get older they will require less structural pruning, but more dead-wooding.

Time of year is crucial. Oaks should not be pruned in the summer. Fall is even pushing it. Winter is the best time to prune oaks to prevent the spread of oak wilt, a deadly disease. Dead-wooding is fine to perform any time of year. For most trees, it doesn’t matter when they are pruned. But fall/winter is ideal.

Interested in pruning your own trees? You can! But be careful, if you need a ladder to reach a branch, it’s best to hire a professional arborist. A Certified Arborist is recommended. Make sure they have insurance and follow best management practices. This includes not using spikes while pruning which damage trees and allow the introduction of disease. Spikes are fine for removals. Topping is a terrible practice and will only make the tree grow back taller than before. Find out more here:https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Why%20Topping%20Hurts_0321.pdf

Here is a quick guide for at home tree pruning:
https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/pruningyourtrees