When trees are spreading too far or are growing too tall, pruning might be the easiest solution. Still, you don’t want to make any common pruning mistakes and damage your tree’s long-term health.
If you need these tree services in Westborough, MA, it’s a better choice to leave this work to professionals like Brooke Tree Service. Learn more below about some of the biggest errors people make when pruning their trees so that you can avoid doing the same.
1. Using Poor-Quality Tools
Pruning with the wrong tools or dull blades is a terrible mistake. Sharp tools will provide a clean cut, giving your tree the best chance at closing its wound. A dull blade would tear the wood and bark, which often opens up the tree to insect infestation and diseases.
2. Pruning in the Wrong Place
One of the most common pruning mistakes inexperienced gardeners make is cutting a branch in the wrong spot. Leaving too much of the branch behind, called a stub cut, can cause decay. Taking off the branch too close to the trunk can make the cut difficult to heal.
3. Cutting at the Wrong Time
It’s important to avoid pruning when the tree is in the active growing season. Typically, this is from spring through late summer, and removing too many leaves during this time affects the health of the plant. Arborists know how to avoid timing errors and will prune the tree during fall or early winter when the plant is going into dormancy.
4. Chopping Off the Top of the Tree
Topping trees can be dangerous for their health — and for yours. Bringing down the height when pruning trees yourself can affect the tree’s viability because taking off too much of the canopy sends the tree into shock and slows its recovery. Let’s not forget the safety equipment and experience required to climb high into a tree, balance heavy branches, and avoid a dangerous fall at the same time.
5. Prioritizing a Shape Over Strategic Cuts
If you’re solely trying to cut the tree’s canopy in a particular shape, you’ll likely commit avoidable pruning mistakes. Ignoring branch structures runs the risk of damaging the tree. If cuts weaken it, your shapely tree won’t stand up to the next wind storm.
6. Making Too Many Small Cuts for the Tree To Heal
How can you achieve successful results with pruning? Usually, an arborist would advise making minimal strategic cuts rather than dozens of random ones. Every laceration opens the tree to potential harm, and it’s easier to heal a few large cuts rather than hundreds of small wounds.
Let Brooke Tree Service Inspect Your Trees and Determine the Proper Pruning Technique for Each One
Improper cuts and over-pruning are common problems when pruning trees without a plan. Brooke Tree Service thoroughly inspects each tree before picking up a tool. Knowledgeable arborists can also help you with deciding between tree trimming and pruning when the time comes.
Brooke Tree Service has the equipment and know-how to prune trees safely while avoiding pruning mistakes. Contact us today at (508) 613-5044 for a free estimate!