Okay, so the other day I decided it was finally time to tackle the ginkgo tree in my backyard. It’s a beautiful tree, but man, does it get overgrown! So here’s how my pruning adventure went.
Getting Started
First, I gathered my tools. I’m no expert, so I just grabbed what I thought I’d need:
- My trusty pruning shears – the ones with the long handles for extra reach.
- A smaller pair of clippers for the thinner branches.
- A pair of thick gloves, because ginkgo branches can be surprisingly tough.
- A ladder.
I put on some old clothes, because I knew I’d be getting covered in leaves and sap.
The Pruning Process
I started by surveying the tree. I looked for any branches that were obviously dead or damaged. Those were the first to go. I just snipped them off at the base, as close to the trunk as I could get without damaging the main part of the tree.
Next, I focused on the branches that were growing inwards, towards the center of the tree. Those just make things crowded and block sunlight. I carefully cut those back, trying to make clean cuts so the tree could heal properly.
Then came the tricky part – shaping the tree. I basically just stepped back, looked at the overall shape, and started trimming branches here and there to make it look more balanced. I didn’t want to go too crazy, just a little clean-up. I used my ladder to get it.
Cleaning Up
Once I was done pruning, I had a huge pile of branches on the ground. I spent a good amount of time chopping those up into smaller pieces so I could bundle them up for yard waste collection.
The Result
After all that work, the ginkgo tree looked so much better! It was more open, letting in more light, and it just had a nicer, cleaner shape. I’m no professional, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. And hopefully, the tree will be happier and healthier too!
