Why It’s Important Not to Over Prune

You know the adage “a little goes a long way”? It’s not just your elementary school teacher’s favorite thing to say about glue. It’s also an important mantra for pruning.

More Pruning, More Problems 

Over pruning is one of the most common problems we see. Most people assume it’s no worse than a haircut that’s too short— the hair will grow eventually, and in the meantime, you can go longer between cuts and save some cash. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way with trees. In fact, you could be causing damage that could cost you more money in the long run.

Certain trees, like oaks, do best with minimal pruning. That’s because foliage is what makes food for the tree. Cut too much and you’ll risk nutritional deficiencies or branches that are too weak to tolerate the wind or fend off diseases or insect invasions.

Further, a tree’s foliage is important for protecting it against excessive sun exposure. If too much is removed, the tree will sprout excessively to boost food production and protect against sunscald. This has a negative effect on aesthetics, as the tree will diminish growth at the tips and create sprouts on the interior. Usually, those sprouts will require pruning to maintain shape, causing a vicious cycle.

And to Top It Off . . .

Topping is one of the worst things you can do to a tree. Just as the name suggests, topping involves removing the top of the tree to control height. All the reasons over pruning is detrimental—nutrition, sun protection, preventing pathogens and infestation—apply here. Worse, topping permanently disfigures the tree and can even kill it.

Leave It to the Experts

This is why having a certified arborist and experienced tree crew are so important. Arborists are 100% devoted to trees, having studied their management and cultivation. At BrightView, our arborists also maintain industry certification, demonstrating their continued commitment to best practices and advanced knowledge. This ensures your trees are pruned and cared for in a way that minimizes your property’s liability risk and supports the health and longevity of your trees. 

Some landscapers will tell you they can prune your trees, too. And while that may sound convenient, oftentimes they don’t have any certified arborists on staff. Knowing the damage that can result from improper pruning, It’s simply not worth the risk. Thankfully, that convenience is not out of reach. At BrightView, not only do we have certified arborists on staff, but a host of other specialists as well—from agronomy to water management and beyond—giving you peace of mind you’ll have the right support for your landscape at every stage, with just one call. Get in touch to learn more. Request a free quote or give us a call at 844.235.7778.