Have you ever looked at your trees and wondered if they could use a trim? It can be challenging for a homeowner to make this decision, especially when they don’t know what to look for. Learn what signs tell you that you need professional tree pruning in Cincinnati.
Key Takeaways:
- Dead or broken branches need immediate professional pruning to prevent safety hazards during storms.
- Trees growing into power lines or structures require professional trimming to prevent damage and electrical hazards.
- Thin crowded tree canopies to allow sunlight penetration and better air circulation.
- Overly long branches, competing branches, and diseased/infested limbs indicate a need for professional pruning.
6 Signs You Need to Have a Professional Prune Your Trees
Trees may not have a flashing neon sign telling you they need pruning, but there are several things to look for that indicate that they could use a trim.
1. Dead or Broken Branches Are Visible in the Canopy
Ideally, every branch should be in perfect condition and fully leafed out in the summer. However, this isn’t always the case. Broken and dead branches can occur due to storm damage (like what happened after three tornadoes struck the Cincinnati area in early 2025), insect infestations, human-caused damage, or tree diseases.
Broken and dead branches are weak and prone to failure, especially during extreme weather. While some trimming can wait until the most ideal time to trim, we don’t recommend waiting to take care of these branches. When they break during a storm, the branches can injure someone or crash into your home.
Pruning broken branches also allows the tree to heal the wound and enables it to begin working to replace the branch with a new one to aid in photosynthesis.
2. Tree Branches Are Touching Power Lines or Structures
When you plant a tree, it’s important to make sure there’s enough space for it to grow to its full size. But sometimes the surroundings change – new structures go up, or a tree was planted too close to something long before you owned the property. Over time, trees can encroach on homes, fences, or power lines, creating safety hazards and putting both the tree and nearby structures at risk.
When a branch interferes with electrical wires, it can bring them down during a storm. This will knock out power and create a live wire in your yard. And when branches rub up against your house, they can break windows or damage the siding. You’ll need to hire a professional to trim these branches and ask them if you should remove the tree to prevent any future problems.
WARNING: Do not attempt to prune trees near power lines yourself, and leave the job to a qualified tree service. Pruning branches entangled in power lines is extremely dangerous, even for professionals. Trees conduct electricity, and getting any pruning tool near utility lines can lead to a fatal accident.
3. The Canopy Looks Overcrowded
While every homeowner wants a tree with a nice, lush canopy, too much of a good thing can have negative repercussions for trees. A canopy with too many branches will block out sunlight, leading to several problems. Without sunlight reaching the ground or lower portions of the canopy, you might find issues like:
- Development of mold in the lower canopy
- Poor fruit production on fruit trees
- Dead or dying plants under the tree
Strategically removing some branches in a crowded canopy will allow light to penetrate and promote better air circulation. This allows fruit and plants on the ground to get the sunlight they need and reduces the humidity inside the canopy responsible for mold developing.
4. One or More Branches Look Too Long and at Risk of Breaking
Pruning can help control the size of a tree. If you neglect to have a professional regularly prune your tree, it may develop branches that are too long to support. These branches are more likely to break during a storm and can cause major damage when they fall.
Trimming large branches requires the use of the three-cut method to avoid damaging your tree. This method involves an undercut, a top cut further out on the branch, and a final clean cut. Without the three-cut method, you can rip off the bark and open your tree up to attacks from pests and diseases.
If you aren’t comfortable with using the three-cut method, have an arborist handle the job to protect your tree from any damage.
5. Branches Are Rubbing Against Each Other
In trees that haven’t had pruning in some time, branches may start competing for space. These branches will begin to rub against each other, especially when winds pick up and storms hit the area.
While it may not seem like a big deal for two branches to bump up against each other occasionally, this can lead to them rubbing away their outer bark. Without this protective layer, insects can quickly attack the tree and begin colonizing it.
Pruning one of the competing branches will leave you with a single healthy branch rather than two potentially unhealthy ones.
Branches can end up infested with insects, like this branch that has scale insects.
6. Some Branches Show Signs of Disease or Insect Activity
Many tree diseases and insects attack the canopy. Spotting diseased or infested branches can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what to look for. But if you notice increased pest activity and a lack of leaves, it may be a sign your tree could benefit from pruning.
Removing and disposing of any diseased or infested branches can help reduce the risk of the problem spreading throughout the tree or to another specimen on your property.
WARNING: If you prune these branches yourself, ensure you sterilize your tools after finishing each branch. Your loppers may spread the disease to healthy branches if you don’t clean them between cuts. You can use rubbing alcohol or a 10 percent solution of household chlorine bleach for the job.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Pruning
To help homeowners better understand the importance of tree pruning, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about the service and how we do it.
When should I prune my Cincinnati trees?
Winter is typically the best time to do most tree pruning in Cincinnati, though early spring is also excellent for trimming as well. However, you shouldn’t wait to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as these can be a safety hazard.
Do I need a permit to prune a tree in Cincinnati?
Generally speaking, you won’t need a permit to prune a tree on private property in Cincinnati. However, this may change depending on your municipality, so always ask before you start cutting.
For public trees, the Cincinnati Municipal Code requires a permit to prune or remove them.
How much should I prune at one time if I notice my tree needs trimming?
It is always best to keep your tree pruning light, as the branches you remove are all responsible for photosynthesis. Aim to remove no more than 20 percent of the canopy at a time.
Let Lefke Tree Experts Handle the Pruning Your Cincinnati Trees Need
If your trees are overgrown or took a hit from a recent storm, the team at Lefke Tree Experts is ready to help. Pruning isn’t just about cutting branches – it’s a science that requires precision and a deep understanding of how trees grow.
Our ISA Certified Arborists bring expert knowledge to every job, making the right cuts in the right places to support your tree’s health, structure, and appearance. Whether it’s routine maintenance or post-storm cleanup, we’ll make sure your trees are properly cared for. Call us at 513-325-1783 or request an estimate for tree pruning today.
