Trees add beauty, shade, and value to your property. But improper pruning can lead to damaged trees, costly repairs, and even injuries. Avoiding common tree trimming mistakes saves you money and keeps your landscape looking its best.
Proper tree care isn't just about aesthetics. It's about safety and tree health too. The following pruning mistakes can hurt your wallet and your trees. Learn what not to do before you grab those pruning shears.
1. Topping Trees
Topping is perhaps the most harmful pruning practice. It involves cutting tree tops or main branches back to stubs. This drastic approach removes too much of the tree's crown and leaves large, exposed wounds that rarely heal properly.
The results are ugly and dangerous. Topped trees respond by quickly growing multiple shoots from the cuts, but these new branches are weakly attached. They grow faster than normal branches and are prone to breaking, especially during storms. Plus, topping starves the tree by removing its food-making factory-the leaves.
2. Improper Timing
Pruning at the wrong time of year can stress trees and invite disease. For most trees, late winter or early spring (during dormancy) is ideal for major pruning jobs. The trees are inactive, wounds heal faster, and you can see the structure better without leaves.
Summer pruning slows growth and should be limited to removing damaged branches. Avoid pruning during fall, as this is when decay fungi spread their spores. Trees cut during this period heal slowly and become more susceptible to disease. Planning your pruning calendar saves both your trees and your wallet.
3. Lion's Tailing
Lion's tailing strips inner branches, leaving foliage only at branch ends; similar to a lion's tail. This practice removes too many of the tree's lateral branches and inner foliage, creating an unbalanced structure.
The consequences are serious. The remaining limbs become prone to breaking because they're too long and heavy at the ends. Plus, removing inner branches eliminates the tree's natural wind resistance. During storms, these branches catch more wind and snap more easily. Repairs for storm damage are expensive and sometimes impossible to fix properly.
4. Flush Cutting
Cutting branches flush with the trunk removes the branch collar, the swollen area at the base of the branch. This natural protection zone contains specialized cells that help heal wounds after proper pruning.
When you cut into the branch collar, you create a larger wound that takes longer to close. These wounds often become entry points for decay, insects, and disease. The tree must use extra energy trying to heal these oversized wounds, which weakens its overall health and can require expensive treatments later.
5. Stub Cutting
Leaving branch stubs-cutting too far from the trunk-prevents proper healing. These stubs can't form a protective callus because the tree's natural healing process only works at the branch collar.
Stubs usually die, then decay works its way back into the tree. This internal rot weakens the entire structure over time. Eventually, you might need to remove the tree completely-a much more expensive proposition than proper pruning would have been in the first place.
6. Using Dull Tools
Pruning with dull or improper tools creates ragged cuts that heal slowly and invite disease. Clean, sharp cuts heal faster and help trees recover with minimal stress.
Investing in quality pruning tools and maintaining them properly saves money in the long run. Sharp bypass pruners, loppers, and saws make cleaner cuts. Keep them clean and disinfected between trees to prevent spreading diseases. Your trees will thank you by staying healthier and requiring less corrective care.
7. Over-Pruning
Removing too much of a tree at once stresses the entire system. A good rule is never to remove more than 25% of a tree's canopy in a single season. Over-pruning forces the tree to direct energy toward healing and new growth rather than maintaining its existing structure.
The result is a weakened tree that becomes more susceptible to pests, disease, and environmental stress. Recovery takes years, during which the tree provides less shade and aesthetic value. In severe cases, over-pruning can kill the tree outright, requiring complete removal and replacement.
8. Improper Branch Selection
Removing the wrong branches disrupts the tree's natural form and balance. Each cut should have a purpose. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches first, followed by branches that cross or rub against each other.
Maintain the tree's natural shape when selecting branches to remove. Avoid cutting branches with strong U-shaped attachments to the trunk, as these are structurally sound. Instead, remove branches with weaker V-shaped attachments when thinning is necessary. Strategic selection prevents future structural issues that could cost thousands to address.
9. Ignoring Safety Precautions
Pruning without proper safety equipment and knowledge leads to injuries and property damage. Tree work can be dangerous, especially when ladders, power tools, or heights are involved.
For large trees or branches, hiring certified arborists is often more economical than risking personal injury or property damage. They have the training and equipment to do the job safely. If you tackle the job yourself, always use appropriate safety gear including eye protection, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Safety costs less than hospital bills.
10. Not Making Proper Cuts
The technique used for cutting branches affects how quickly and effectively trees heal. Proper cuts should be made just outside the branch collar, the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk-at about a 45-degree angle away from the trunk.
Improper cutting techniques lead to bark tearing, which creates larger wounds. For larger branches, use the three-cut method: make an undercut about 12 inches from the trunk, then cut through the branch a few inches further out, and finally remove the stub with a clean cut just outside the branch collar. This technique prevents bark tearing and promotes faster healing.
11. Neglecting Tree Physics
Trees are complex physical structures that need balanced weight distribution. Removing branches from only one side creates uneven weight distribution that stresses the tree and increases the risk of failure.
When pruning for clearance or view, maintain balance by making smaller cuts throughout the canopy rather than removing entire sections. Unbalanced trees are more likely to fall during storms, potentially causing catastrophic damage to property. Respecting tree physics saves both the tree and potential liability costs.
12. Improper Wound Treatment
Painting or sealing pruning wounds with tar or other products was once recommended but is now known to trap moisture and slow natural healing. Trees have evolved their own healing mechanisms that work best without interference.
Let pruning wounds heal naturally through the callus formation process. The exception is when oak wilt is present in your area, in this case, sealing oak tree wounds immediately after pruning during the growing season may be recommended by local experts. Following current best practices saves money on unnecessary products and prevents complications.
13. Pruning Without Knowledge
Different tree species have different pruning requirements. Some flowering trees should be pruned after blooming, while others benefit from dormant-season pruning. Not knowing these specifics can reduce flowering, fruit production, and overall tree health.
Research your specific tree species or consult with an arborist before making significant cuts. The small investment in knowledge prevents costly mistakes. Many local extension offices offer free resources about pruning specific tree species in your area.
14. Climbing With Spikes
Using climbing spikes (gaffs) creates wounds in the trunk that can introduce disease and never fully heal. These puncture wounds are particularly harmful to living trees that you intend to keep.
If climbing is necessary for pruning, use proper rope techniques or a bucket lift that doesn't damage the trunk. Climbing spikes should only be used when removing a tree completely. The damage from improper climbing techniques can shorten a tree's lifespan significantly, leading to premature replacement costs.
15. Ignoring Utility Lines
Pruning near power lines without proper training and equipment is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. It also violates regulations in most areas. Even branches that don't currently touch lines can fall onto them during pruning.
Contact your utility company before pruning near power lines. Most utilities provide free trimming services for trees threatening their lines. This not only protects you but also prevents potential power outages and electrical fires that could affect entire neighborhoods.
16. Using Improper Lifting Techniques
Back injuries from improper lifting of branches and debris are common during tree work. Even smaller branches can cause injury when handled incorrectly, especially after multiple hours of work.
Use proper lifting techniques, keeping your back straight and lifting with your legs. For heavier branches, use equipment like wheelbarrows or get help from others. The medical costs from a back injury far outweigh any savings from doing the work yourself without proper techniques or assistance.
17. Ignoring Seasonal Factors
Pruning during wet seasons increases the risk of fungal infections in fresh cuts. Similarly, pruning during insect breeding seasons can attract pests to wounds. Timing matters more than many people realize.
Be aware of local disease and pest cycles when planning pruning work. For example, avoid pruning oaks during oak wilt season or elms during Dutch elm disease season. Working with nature's cycles reduces the need for expensive treatments later on.
18. Incorrect Tool Selection
Using pruning tools that are too small for the job damages both the tools and the tree. Hand pruners are designed for branches up to 1 inch in diameter, loppers for branches 1-2 inches, and saws for anything larger.
Forcing small tools to cut large branches creates jagged wounds that heal poorly. It also ruins your tools. Invest in a complete set of quality pruning tools sized appropriately for different jobs. Quality tools, properly maintained, will last for years and produce better results.
19. Removing Too Much Lower Canopy
Excessive removal of lower branches ("raising the canopy") creates a top-heavy tree with a high center of gravity. This increases the risk of failure during storms and reduces trunk taper development.
Maintain some lower branches, especially on young trees, to develop a strong trunk and root system. Remove lower branches gradually over several years rather than all at once. This balanced approach maintains tree stability and reduces the likelihood of expensive storm damage.
20. DIY Work on Large Trees
Attempting to prune large trees without proper equipment and training is dangerous and often results in tree damage. Falls are common, and improper cuts on large limbs can cause property damage below.
For trees taller than 15-20 feet, hiring professional arborists is usually more cost-effective than risking injury or tree damage. They have the specialized equipment and knowledge to handle large trees safely. The cost of professional work is often less than the combined medical bills, property damage, and tree replacement costs from DIY accidents.
21. Pruning Without a Plan
Random cutting without a clear vision often results in poor tree structure. Before making the first cut, evaluate the entire tree and decide which branches need removal and why.
Start with a walk-around inspection to identify dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Then address structural issues like crossing or rubbing branches. Finally, consider aesthetic factors if needed. Having a systematic approach prevents over-pruning and ensures that each cut serves a purpose in improving the tree's health and structure.
Your Trees Deserve Professional Care
Tree pruning is both an art and a science. Understanding the common mistakes helps you avoid costly consequences and maintain healthy, beautiful trees. When in doubt, consult with certified arborists who can provide expert guidance specific to your trees and local conditions.
Remember that trees are long-term investments in your property. Proper pruning practices protect this investment, while mistakes can decrease property value and create expensive problems. Taking the time to learn proper techniques or hiring qualified professionals pays dividends in tree health, safety, and reduced maintenance costs over time.