Do you have any magnolia, willow, maple, mesquite, or silk-oak trees on your property? You can avoid causing a heavy sap drip if you trim them after spring. These trees produce a sap that can be very sticky and unappealing to see, however, it will not harm the tree. Do you have a pine tree on your property? You may want to avoid pruning it during early spring. This is when the sap is produced which allows the tree to grow new needles. Instead, you will want to wait until mid-summer to trim it.
What advantages would you receive from hiring a professional tree service to do the work for you? You may not realize this but you could be putting yourself and your home at risk if you do not know how to properly trim a tree. An untrained person can easily damage your home by knocking a branch through your roof or window. If you are not familiar with power tools, a professional can ensure they are used safely. A professional can also help you determine the best time of year to trim your trees and how to do it correctly.
- Magnolia trees: These trees produce a thick, sugary sap known as honeydew, and should be trimmed between mid-summer and early fall.
- Willow trees: Willows produce a watery sap that is rich with salicylic acid and should be trimmed in the winter while they are dormant.
- Maple trees: Maple trees produce a sap that is better known as the primary ingredient in maple syrup and they should be trimmed in the mid-summer.
- Mesquite trees: Mequites produce a thick sap that can be a clear or amber color. These trees should be trimmed while they are in winter dormancy.
The sap in these trees contains vital nutrients, water, and hormones and carries these essential substances throughout your trees so it keeps your tree healthy, so If you encounter a large sap drip after trimming your trees, leave it alone. If you’re concerned about the effect that sap is having on your property, you can try to remove it. If you do, here are some tips that will help you avoid damaging your tree in the process:
1. Remove as much as possible before it has had a chance to harden.
2. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe the sap away.
3. Try using a solvent, such as mineral spirits, to soften up the sap first.
4. Avoid using gasoline, turpentine, or any other strong chemical.
5. Apply the solvent to the sap and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the sap.
6. Scrape the softened sap off with a plastic scraper.
7. Wipe the area with a soft cloth or paper towel.
8. Use a commercial remover on any leftover residue.
Pruning the parts of your tree that are excreting sap can slow or stop the sap drip. If you try to do this yourself, you run the risk of pruning your tree incorrectly and harming the tree. The arborists at Scott’s Treewurk are trained to prune your trees properly to ensure that your trees stay healthy, which in turn will stop the sap from excreting.
If you consistently have issues with a lot of sap drip when trimming your trees, it is a good idea to call the professional arborists at Scott’s Treewurk to trim your trees for you. Give us a call at (678) 208-7336 or (678) 20-TREE-6. We will be happy to help. Treewurk is the best 5-star rated tree service in the Atlanta metro area. We do tree services in Kennesaw, Marietta, Roswell, Smyrna, Vinings, Acworth, Woodstock, Canton, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, East Cobb, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dallas, Hiram, and the surrounding areas. You can schedule a call at www.treewurk.com. Free estimates. 5-Star rated tree service. Financing available.