A common question homeowners often ask is does pruning hurt trees? The answer to this question is that improper pruning can create lasting damage, or even shorten a tree’s lifespan. That’s why it’s so important to hire a local arborist to care for your trees. This article is a review of three pruning mistakes that can damage, or even kill, an otherwise healthy tree.
1) Over-Pruning
So, how much pruning is too much? Essentially, over-pruning is a problem because it reduces the leafy canopy that produces food for the tree via photosynthesis. Remember, plants turn sunlight into food. Pretty neat, huh? If we could do this, we’d save a fortune on groceries. Over-pruning also makes the tree more vulnerable to pests and diseases, especially if the cuts aren’t done correctly. So, although pruning in and of itself is necessary to keep a tree healthy, sometimes less is more. Over-pruned trees can also die as result of associated stressors caused by pathogens or insects that invade these wounded branches.
2) Not Pruning At All
Perhaps one of the most common pruning mistakes that busy homeowners make is forgetting to prune at all. Nature goes through seasons, or cycles, and trees are no different. Without proper pruning, branches may cause damage to your home, or even grow too close to power lines or windows. Further, if dead branches aren’t removed, they can become brittle and prone to breaking, or infested with insects that could spread to the rest of the tree. A trained specialist can spot these issues before they become a real problem.
3) Pruning at the Wrong Time
For homeowners, it’s important to ask questions like: Does pruning hurt trees? Here’s something else you should know. Another pruning mistake is deciding to prune your trees at the wrong time. For instance, if you forgot to water your trees during a dry season, it wouldn’t be a good idea to prune them because they would probably already be stressed out.
In general, the best time to prune your trees is between November and March, but before spring blooms begin to bud. Trees are less susceptible to insects during these colder months, and your trees will have time to heal before all that spring and summer growth.
Alamo Tree Pruning
Schedule your winter tree pruning by calling Sexy Trees at 925-438-0805. You can also request an estimate through this quick contact form. Tell us a little about your trees, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.