Just a few days ago, I was raking my lawn in an effort to dispose of the first few autumn leaves that had nestled like a blanket across the grass. Glancing over our adjoining fence, I noticed that my neighbor was preoccupied with an entirely different activity – he was pruning an apple tree. I didn’t think much of it at first; he was probably just breaking out his Fiskars pruning shears to improve the overall aesthetic of the tree. I had to admit it looked handsome.
But then I did some research online and found that people prune their trees for a number of reasons. In addition to its attractive appearance, a well-trimmed tree is more likely to bear fruit. By removing the rotting wood and pests that occasionally make their home in the foliage, you can extend the life of a tree. Perhaps most importantly, the process ensures that potentially dangerous limbs won’t fall on unsuspecting children.