One of the biggest benefits of working with professional landscapers and certified arborists is that they know how to prune without making the mistakes that novices do. It doesn’t take most homeowners long to realize that there is much more to pruning that cutting a few branches, and the result of these mistakes can be unhealthy, misshapen trees. Here are just a few of the common pruning mistakes that you can afford by hiring a professional to do the job.
Topping
If you cut an excessive amount of branches across the crown or top half of the tree, it is called topping. Many people do this in the hopes of making a tree that was actually planted in a space that was too small for it fit in better or to encourage more blooms to grow on flowering trees. Topping won’t help anything grow, and instead of fitting into a space, you’re more likely to make a tree look deformed. Additionally, topping weakens the branch structure, so your tree is more vulnerable to damage from strong winds and storms.
Pruning in the Wrong Season
Pruning cannot be done whenever the mood strikes. The exact time a tree should be pruned, depends on the species and your climate, but doing so at the wrong time can cause the tree to become ill and ultimately need to be removed. In Arizona, most trees should be pruned between December and February.
Over-Pruning
When trees are over-pruned, they cannot support themselves or develop enough food and nutrients. Many homeowners over-prune because they think trees are giving too much shade to the grass underneath, but doing so harms the tree and rarely helps the grass. It’s rare for trees to need more than 5% to 10% of their foliage removed during a single pruning session.
Don’t put your trees’ health at risk. Let a certified arborist in Tucson from Complete Landscaping do the job right. Learn more about our services by calling (520) 323-8918.