Common pruning mistakes, like making improper cuts and using dull tools, can cause tree disease. Pruning is important for maintaining the aesthetics, safety, and long-term health of your trees, but only when done correctly.
According to Future Market Report, the tree maintenance and pruning market size globally is expected to grow from 2026 to 2033 at an annual growth rate of 7.38%. This growth is attributed to the rise in urbanization and awareness of maintaining environmental sustainability.
Arbor-Tech Tree Service offers pruning services in the Dallas area. We use top-quality equipment to shape and prune trees in a manner that matches arborist cutting standards.
What Are the Common Pruning Mistakes that Can Cause Deadly Tree Disease?
Trimming trees is a common activity recommended to keep your plants healthy. However, pruning is not just about cutting a few branches. You need to hire expert arborists who are knowledgeable about tree care and have an eye for detail to prevent damaging the tree.
Here are four common errors to avoid when pruning trees by yourself:
1. Over-Pruning
Whenever you decide to prune your plants, ensure you keep it light. Trees rely on branches to perform photosynthesis, which helps in their growth. So, removing too many branches leaves a tree with too few or no leaves at all to help it thrive.
The Texas A&M Forest Service discourages cutting over 25% of the tree’s crown during one session. This is because removing too much of the tree’s canopy can increase stress and cause it to starve. An over-pruned tree grows out weak branches referred to as suckers that waste its energy, are difficult to remove, and look ugly.
Sealing and painting wounds caused by pruning can cause severe damage to the tree. The pruning paint myth interferes with the natural ability of the tree to recover. Using sealants also encourages insect infestations and rot, as it seals in decay and moisture.
2. Topping Trees
Tree topping refers to cutting off the main trunk or large upper branches to control the height of the plant. Some people view this practice as a quick fix, but it can lead to great damage, including the death of the tree.
Topping causes fast-growing, weak sprouts that are attached poorly and are highly likely to break off. If you have a tree that’s too long, avoid topping it, and instead hire a professional arborist for crown reduction, which is a safer option.
3. Pruning at the Wrong Time
Pruning your trees during the wrong time of the year is likely to damage them. The ideal oak wilt pruning season is during winter when oak trees are less vulnerable to wilt. Ensure you book a pruning season early, preferably during fall, to ensure the work is done before early spring, which is the high-risk season.
Trimming needs to be kept light during summer, as this is the most active season for diseases and insects. On the other hand, pruning during the fall season encourages new growth, which is destroyed by the cold weather of winter. It ends up stressing the tree and wasting its energy.
4. Performing Improper Cuts
Cutting your trees wrongly and in an improper place is likely to interfere with their health over time. Some of the common improper cuts performed by homeowners and unskilled arborists include the following:
- Flush cuts tree damage: Pruning too close to the plant and leaving wounds that attract diseases and insects
- Bark tears: Tearing of a branch rather than cutting it
- Stubs: Leaving a large section of the branch, which can attract pests
Bark collar preservation when pruning means avoiding cutting flush and keeping the collar in place to help the tree heal quickly and safely.
Why Is It Important to Hire Professional Arborists for Tree Pruning?
A certified tree care service takes care of your trees and ensures their health. Other benefits of hiring experts to prune your plants include the following:
- Saves you time, especially if you have a busy schedule
- Proper handling of tools used in tree trimming, like ladders and hand saws
- Keeps your home in shape and unique from your neighbors
- Avoids injuries and accidents that may occur when you prune trees yourself
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Common Causes of Tree Disease?
Just like other living things, trees are prone to diseases. Some tree diseases can kill the tree or reduce its productivity. Common tree diseases include fire blight, root rots, Dutch elm disease, and black knot. Some environmental factors can stress a tree and make it susceptible to diseases.
These factors are:
- Drought from overcrowding and lack of ample rainfall
- Root damage that forms entry points for pathogens
- Stem damage
- Flooding
What Are the Symptoms of Tree Diseases?
It’s important to check on the trees in your garden regularly for symptoms of damage from diseases and pests. Some of the symptoms to look out for include:
- Wilting and yellow leaves
- Bleeding on their trunks
- Early or excessive shedding of leaves
- Soil cracks or lifting around the roots
- Decaying or soft wood
What’s the Difference Between Shearing and Pruning?
Most people confuse shearing and pruning, but the two are completely different. Pruning involves selectively cutting tree branches to maintain structure, health, and proper size. Shearing, on the other hand, targets only the outside edges of a tree to maintain its aesthetics.
While pruning encourages the entire plant to grow, shearing limits growth to the outer parts only. When you shear your plants, you train them to adapt to an artificial look. Pruning trees caters to their natural shape.
If you’re looking to shape your plant, pruning is preferred over shearing. Pruning takes more time, but it’s more beneficial to trees and to the overall health of your yard.
Avoid Deadly Tree Disease by Practicing Healthy Pruning Practices
You may be tempted to prune your trees as a way to save costs. However, improper pruning can cost you money and cause tree disease. Hiring professionals ensures the use of the right tools and improves the health of your trees.
At Arbor-Tech Tree Service, we have professional tree shaping and pruning crews that use the best technology to take care of your trees. We are insured and bonded, so your home is protected in case of damage or accidents.
Contact us today for expert tree trimming services!
