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Properly pruned trees look their best and thrive, but like most things in life, they must strike the right balance. Overdoing it with excessive pruning may harm the tree in several ways.
Below, Monster Tree Service of Grand Rapids, a premium tree service in Grand Rapids, MI, explores the typical side effects of over-pruning.
Resilience Issues For Your Tree
Pruning a tree too much makes it vulnerable to pests, diseases, and weakened structures.
Pest and Disease Infestation
Think of excessive pruning like overdoing a haircut—you can’t really put back any hair once you trim it off. When you cut away too many leaves and branches, that means the plant’s defenses weaken. The resulting open wounds from excessive pruning will also raise the chances that pests and diseases will easily enter and attack the tree.
Weak Branches
Excessive pruning disrupts a tree’s structural integrity by removing so many branches that the process unbalances the tree. The weaker branches then bear the load alone, leading to more breakage. Pruning with care, on the other hand, maintains the tree’s stability.
The Tree’s Look and Development
Too much pruning will also severely affect the tree’s look and how it develops over time.
Aesthetic Damage
Over-pruning will leave your plant looking a bit rough around the edges. Cutting back too many leaves, for example, leaves it patchy and unbalanced. The plant loses its natural symmetry and charm, resulting in an awkward rather than lush appearance.
Sunscald and Interior Sprouting
Excessive pruning exposes a tree’s bark to direct sunlight, which can lead to sunscald and damage. Without a full canopy, the tree also often responds by sprouting new growth from the inside. This can create a messy, tangled look, block sunlight, and weaken the tree’s overall health.
Stunted Growth
Pruning too much can slow down your plant’s growth. A lot of pruning causes stress by removing too many leaves and branches and cutting off the tree’s food source. Growth stunting or even premature death can happen if the tree can’t bounce back (vigorous regrowth is a good indication that the tree is under extra stress).
Hire a Tree Professional for Pruning
With pruning, less often works better. You want to take things conservatively, as excessive pruning can damage your tree’s health. Striking the perfect balance yields the best outcomes, and this is far easier to achieve when you call a certified arborist.
A seasoned tree care expert will have the skills and knowledge to assess your tree’s specific needs and prune with precision.
Trust Your Local Tree Care Experts
Have you got tree troubles? Beyond a perfect pruning job, Monster Tree Service of Grand Rapids can handle all your tree care needs:
Tree removal
Commercial tree services
Tree or shrub pruning and trimming