If you’ve ever looked up at your trees and decided they needed a trim, you may think it’s as easy as cutting off a few unruly branches. However, a lot of care and knowledge goes into tree pruning. Learn how to perform the service for your trees correctly and avoid killing them.
Key Takeaways:
- Though sometimes homeowners request it to reduce tree size, tree topping is a harmful practice that weakens trees and is not something a reputable company will perform.
- Winter is generally the best time to prune for most trees while they’re dormant.
- Certain trimming jobs are too dangerous for DIY work, particularly those involving trees near power lines, very tall trees, or trees in poor condition.
- Proper cuts are essential; avoid flush cuts, heading cuts, and stub cuts, and use the three-cut method for large branches to prevent bark tearing.
- Over-pruning (removing more than 25-30% of branches in one season) and using incorrect or poorly maintained tools can severely damage or kill trees.
7 Montgomery and Bucks County Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Pruning trees can be challenging, especially if you don’t have much experience. If you decide to trim them yourself, here are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure your tree remains healthy afterward.
1. Topping a Tree
Tree topping is a notorious practice in our area, with the government of Doylestown specifically asking residents not to top their trees. Some homeowners hire someone to perform the service or try to do it themselves to make their trees smaller, but all it does is make them ugly and possibly kill them.
Tree topping involves picking an arbitrary horizontal line and cutting all the branches above that point. In response to this stress, the tree sends out lots of weak growth to try and recover some of its leaves to aid in photosynthesis. You’ll need to constantly remove these shoots for several years to maintain the size you want. Eventually, your tree will die and require an expensive removal.
A reputable tree care company won’t perform the service, as the practice is now thoroughly discredited. Instead, they can make your trees more compact through crown reduction pruning.
2. Trimming at the Wrong Time
The timing of trimming is just as important as doing the service at all. Pruning at the wrong time opens trees up to injuries, diseases, and pests. In most instances, it is best to prune your trees while they are dormant in the winter. Dormant pruning allows you to see a tree’s structure and protects it from disease infections.
There are exceptions to the rule, as flowering species that provide ornamental value are something for you to prune after they bloom. Additionally, you can trim your evergreens year-round as long as the temperatures are not extreme.
Many homeowners make the mistake of pruning at the wrong time. For instance, extensive trimming in the summer can cause stress and create an access point for insects to attack the tree.
Fall pruning is a great time to remove deadwood. Keep in mind that cutting live branches in the fall will encourage your tree to put out new growth that may not survive the cold winter weather, stressing the tree and wasting its energy.
3. Pruning Difficult Trees Yourself
Everyone wants to save money these days, and many turn to tree care as something they can do themselves. While you may be able to handle simple trimming jobs yourself, trying to work on a difficult tree can put you at risk.
Our area learned that firsthand in late 2024 when a 21-year-old man died from a branch falling on him. Stories like this are far too familiar in our industry.
Some trees to avoid pruning yourself include:
- Trees Near Power Lines: Trees near utility lines are some of the most dangerous to work with, and professionals will have to work with the power company to turn off the electricity before working. Trying to trim them yourself could lead to severe injuries or death; just don’t do it.
- Tall Trees: Accessing the branches of a small ornamental is easy, but for a massive shade tree, it can be a problem. A professional can use orchard ladders or bucket trucks to safely reach the higher branches.
- Trees in Poor Condition: If your tree is in poor condition, a branch may snap without warning, causing injuries or worse. Leave these to professionals.
4. Failing to Prune After a Major Storm
Pruning before a storm is vital to protect yourself from storm damage. However, trimming after a storm is just as helpful. Any species damaged in the storm will likely have some partially broken branches still remaining in the canopy that are weak and likely to fail during the next weather event.
Removing these branches, other weak ones at risk of breaking, or debris stuck in the tree will greatly improve tree safety.
5. Making the Wrong Cuts
Pruning requires proper techniques to avoid damaging your trees and allow them to heal correctly. Some types of cuts to prevent when trimming include:
- Flush Cuts: This cut involves removing the limb right up to the branch collar (where it meets the trunk). Cutting too close to the trunk prevents the tree from forming a callus that allows it to recover from the pruning cut.
- Heading Cuts: A heading cut is when someone picks an arbitrary point on a branch and cuts it there. The leftover branch will be a target for insects and diseases, and it will put out multiple new shoots to try and compensate for the loss of leaves.
- Stub Cuts: Though you shouldn’t cut flush to the trunk, you also need to avoid leaving too much of the branch left over. The stub will die and be a potential entry point for pests.
Aside from these cuts, trimming large branches in one cut is ill-advised. The weight will cause it to snap before you finish your cut, tearing bark. Instead, follow the three-cut method that prevents the branch from tearing off before you finish your cuts.
6. Over Pruning Your Trees
It’s easy to get on a roll and just keep cutting branches. However, over pruning is disastrous for your trees and can kill them if you take too much at one time. In general, the best way to trim is to do it more frequently but remove fewer branches at a time.
Also, never remove more than 25 to 30 percent of the canopy in one season. Eliminating too much will leave your tree without the necessary leaves for photosynthesis, potentially killing it.
7. Using the Wrong Tools
Pruning tools should be sharp and well-maintained. Sharp tools make clean cuts that a tree can recover from, while it will have a more challenging time recovering from cuts made by dull tools.
Additionally, many homeowners make a mistake in using a tool that is too big for the job. While chainsaws may be necessary for removing large branches, they won’t be practical in trimming an ornamental. Ensure you have the proper-sized tools for the type of tree you plan to work on, whether it be loppers, pole saws, or chainsaws.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Pruning in Southeast PA
Trimming trees isn’t as simple as it may first appear. To help you better understand what it entails, we’ve answered some common questions Southeastern Pennsylvania homeowners have about it.
How can I tell if my tree needs trimming?
Inspect your trees and look for some of the typical signs they need trimming:
- Branches growing too close together
- Lack of sunlight coming through the canopy
- Branches growing too close to structures or utility lines
- Dead sections in the canopy
- Low-hanging branches blocking foot traffic
Does pruning hurt my tree?
Pruning, even when done perfectly, does cause stress for your trees and creates injuries. However, proper techniques limit the damage and allow them to recover quickly.
Should I use wound dressings after pruning?
No, using a wound dressing, like paint, is no longer considered proper care. Paint impacts a tree’s ability to compartmentalize the wound and heal on its own.
Clauser Tree Care Can Handle All Your Tree Trimming Needs
It’s very easy to mess up tree pruning and harm your trees accidentally. To avoid this problem, you can trust a professional trimming service to handle the job following all the latest techniques and strategies.
The team at Clauser Tree Care has the training and state-of-the-art equipment to perform pruning perfectly and give you better-looking and healthier landscape. If your trees need a trim, call us today at 215-542-8291 or request a quote online.
About Clauser Tree Care
From who you talk to on the phone in our office, to our courteous and experienced work crews who provide your service, all of the hard-working team members at Clauser Tree Care strive for complete client satisfaction. Our job is simply not done until you are pleased with the experience that you have had working with our company. Founded more than 25 years ago on the principles of honest work and arboricultural best practices, we strive for a higher standard of care for a greener future.
