Get matched with top tree service pros in Lake Forest, IL

Although the terms tree trimming and tree pruning are used interchangeably, they are very different types of tree maintenance. Tree trimming involves enhancing the appearance of your tree by removing unruly branches, providing your tree with ample sunlight and nutrients and prevents unsightly overgrowth. 

Tree pruning helps keep your trees disease-free. This process removes unhealthy growths, dead branches, and other unhealthy parts of the tree. It’s more common for deciduous and ornamental trees but not so common for evergreen trees. To determine which method you need, discuss it with a tree trimming specialist.

The best time to cut down a tree is during its dormant season, typically in winter or early spring, after all the leaves have fallen. Removing a tree during this period is advantageous for several reasons. Frozen ground helps secure the tree stump, protects the surrounding landscape from damage, and reduces the risk of the tree falling in an unintended direction. With the leaves gone, there is less risk of the tree's foliage getting tangled with other trees. Additionally, since this is often a slower season for tree services, you may be able to hire a professional at a lower rate. This dormant period is also the best time for tree trimming.

If the roots are still alive, the dead tree will usually try to put out new shoots. That doesn’t mean the tree will survive or that the dead parts of a tree will come back to life. If parts of the tree have died and turned gray or rotten, nothing will bring them back to life and they need to be safely removed.

If tree branches cross well into your property line, in many cases, these branches become part of your property, and you can trim them up until your neighbor’s property line. However, this issue will vary based on local ordinances, so you should do your research before making any decisions. Better yet, speak with your neighbor about how to handle any tree issues. 

If you don’t mind the branches, you can leave them be, but if they’re becoming a hazard, it’s definitely worth having a conversation.