The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trimming Your Trees

When it comes to landscaping, pruning your trees should be at the top of your to-do list. Pruning is beneficial to your trees, but if it’s not done right, it can have negative consequences. For those new to tree pruning, it may seem like you’re just simply cutting off a few branches, but this is where the mistakes start to show.

Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when trimming your trees.

Trimming Too Much

One of the most common mistakes people make is trimming their trees too much. Branches do more than just house leaves; they also provide water and nutrients throughout the entire tree. If too many branches are removed, it can inhibit a tree’s growth and can even outright kill the plant. If you’re unsure about what branches to trim, your best bet is to contact a professional arborist.

Tree Topping

Topping is when someone cuts off a part of a tree’s main trunk at a random point This is typically done to control a tree’s height, but if it’s not done correctly, topping is one of the worst things you can do. Topping a tree causes a lot of stress to it and even increases the risk of it toppling over. In addition, removing too many branches can cause decay to the rest and ultimately kill the tree.

Not Using the Correct Tools

A lot of people seem to think all you need is a pair of sheets to prune a tree. Not every tree branch is the same and requires to be handled differently. For example, if a branch is too thick for shears, you would need to use a pruning saw.

Branches that are too high require pole saws. It’s also important to note that pruning trees can pose a health risk without the proper safety tools, like gloves and goggles. If you have a branch that’s too thick or too high and have no way to handle it, a professional arborist will be more than happy to help.

Improper Timing

Tree pruning isn’t something you can do at any given time. For the safest and most effective results, you need to know when you should prune your trees. Droughts, for example, already cause enough stress to a tree, and pruning it can make it less resilient to the harsh weather. In the case of a drought, it can cause sunscald, a type of tree damage that causes cell death due to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Pruning can be thought of as a double-edged sword for tree trimming and pruning; it has its benefits, but can be very dangerous if not handled properly. If you need your trees pruned but aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, Smoky Mountain Tree Care in Knoxville, TN is here to help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team today.