5 Bad Pruning Examples to Avoid

Pruning is vital for tree health and growth. However, mistakes can easily happen, especially if you prefer DIY solutions over hiring a tree care company. Poor pruning techniques can harm your plants, affect growth, weaken structures, or cause disease. If you want to avoid such devastating scenarios, Southern Star Tree can handle the heavy lifting, ensuring proper pruning and the desired outcome. Here are the five common pruning errors you should avoid maintain a flourishing garden.

Over-Pruning

The most common pruning mistake is over-pruning. This is where you remove too much foliage. While it’s tempting to cut back as much as possible, over-pruning reduces their ability to make food, stressing the tree. Stress increases susceptibility to infections and unplanned tree removal emergencies. Arborists and industry professionals recommend gradual pruning throughout the growing season to encourage natural growth without overwhelming the plant.

Topping

Another pruning mistake is topping, or cutting off the upper branches to reduce tree height. Even if topping doesn’t raise concerns initially, it leaves large stubs, which affect aesthetics and destabilizes its structure. This method is highly damaging, as it forces the tree to regrow quickly from weak shoots that may easily break off, causing structural weakness, vulnerability to pests, and premature tree removal. Instead of topping, hire a tree service provider to perform crown reduction pruning, which entails removing branches strategically from the top to maintain the tree’s natural shape and stability.

Cutting Too Close

Cutting too close to the main trunk or a larger branch is a mistake most DIYers make. When cuts are too close, they damage the branch collar, preventing proper healing from pruning wounds and increasing vulnerability to disease. To avoid this, tree service professionals make cuts outside the branch collar rather than flush against the trunk. This allows the plant to heal more effectively and remain healthy year long.

Pruning in the Wrong Season

Pruning at the wrong time of year can stress plants and inhibit flowering or fruit production. The best time to schedule pruning is when you notice spring-blooming shrubs in late winter. This helps to remove flower buds, leaving plants barren come spring. In addition, late-season pruning can encourage new growth right before frost, damaging the plant. To avoid this, hire a tree care company to prune plants based on their growth cycle, ensuring healthier growth.

Using Dull Tools

Pruning with dull tools results in uneven, ragged cuts that can damage plant tissue and delay healing. Ragged cuts are also more likely to become infected, putting your plant at risk. Sharp pruning shears make cleaner cuts, which plants heal from faster, reducing the risk of disease. Keep tools sharp by regularly sharpening blades and cleaning them after each use. By maintaining your tools, you ensure a cleaner, more effective pruning process.

Pruning can enhance the health and appearance of your plants when done correctly. However, it’s easy to make mistakes that may hinder growth or weaken plants. By avoiding these common errors, you can maintain healthier and stronger plants. Contact us at the Southern Star Tree and schedule a consultation with our arborists to enjoy vibrant growth and blooms year round.