Tree Trimming Question

Question from a reader asks whether she should have a mature tree trimmed in her front yard. Without knowing the specifics it's a bit hard to say, but generally, mature trees are pruned only as a corrective or preventive measure.

That said, however, there are many reasons why trees and the neighborhood can benefit from trimming - for example, to remove dead branches, crowded or crossed limbs, and to eliminate safety concerns.

Many trees require trimming for the health of the tree as well as hazard control and appearance. They may also be pruned to increase light and air penetration to the inside of the tree's crown or to the landscape below.

But often, people go overboard. Mature trees with knots, hollows and even rotten sections can be ideal wildlife habitat - so long as safety and pest control are adequate.