When done correctly, tree trimming helps retain the plant’s beauty over a longer term. However, despite seeming easy, it can cause irreparable damage if done incorrectly. If you know which mistakes are the most damaging, you can avoid making them.

Over-Pruning

Over-pruning makes trees more susceptible to disease and can cause stress, especially during the growing season. A common side effect is limb death, resulting in falling branches that could become a hazard.

One of the biggest mistakes is taking too much off the limbs, making it hard for the tree to heal. Removing a little bit at a time from any particular branch is a safer strategy.

Cutting Off the Top

“Topping” a tree, which involves cutting off the top, causes stress that makes the tree more likely to fail. The trunk is cut below the apex to reduce the total height; however, the trunk is the most important part of the tree. This type of poorly planned cutting is harmful to the tree. You risk branch decay as well as the sprouting of numerous small branches that are likely to break. In addition, this disfigures a tree and makes it far less attractive.

Poor-Quality Cuts

Proper trimming practices enable faster healing for the tree. Every cut is a wound, so it must be done in a way that minimizes the damage.

Let’s consider some examples of bad cuts. Flesh cuts are cuts made too close to the trunk. This prevents proper sealing. Heading cuts are made randomly on the ends of branches. They promote weak growth. Stub cuts are made too far from the trunk, and that can promote decay.

Haphazard Cuts

Trimming a branch or limb should come with an understanding of the right cut angle, how much to trim, and where to trim. The only branches homeowners should prune are suckers, inward- or downward-growing branches, and dying or dead branches.

If you trim the wrong branch, there might be a negative effect on the tree’s health. Besides making it difficult for the tree to grow properly, it might also make the plant more susceptible to disease.

Pruning Overly Large Branches

If not planned properly, trimming large, thick branches can contribute to instability. It can also create wounds that are difficult to heal. Large branches should be cut back to the trunk for a better seal over the wound.

Cutting down large limbs on your own comes with a risk of personal injury or property damage. You will likely benefit from contacting tree professionals to deal with such a project.

Tree pruning is essential to maintaining your property, but there are things that could go wrong if the person performing the task lacks experience. When you need tree trimming services, just contact us at Adrian’s Tree Service in Walled Lake, MI.