Over pruning exposes your tree to several risks that can impact the tree’s growth pattern and structural integrity. However, can over pruning kill a tree as well?
Read on to learn all you need to know about the dangers of over pruning and how consulting St. Augustine’s tree pruning experts can help protect your tree.
The Dangers of Over Pruning
Over pruning is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when maintaining healthy trees. However, many often underestimate the dangers over pruning poses.
Here are some of the adverse effects of over pruning.
Causes Nutritional Deficiencies
Foliage is responsible for making food for the tree. Since over pruning significantly reduces your tree’s foliage, it can cause significant nutritional deficiencies. In turn, this could place the tree’s health and longevity at risk.
Leads to Over Sprouting
On top of making food for the tree, foliage is also essential in shielding the tree from excessive sun exposure.
When you remove too much foliage, your tree will sprout excessively to protect itself against sunscald and to increase food production. However, this over-sprouting has several negative effects.
For instance, over sprouting affects the tree’s aesthetics because the tree will have to limit growth at the tips to grow sprouts on the interior. Because these sprouts will need additional pruning, they end up creating a vicious pruning cycle that further harms your tree.
Allows Pests and Diseases to Access the Tree
Pests and diseases can use the incorrect pruning cuts to infect the tree. With trees often not showing signs of infection until it’s progressed, these diseases can result in the tree’s death.
Weakens Structural Integrity
Over pruning can significantly weaken a tree’s branches, making them susceptible to strong winds. In some cases, the tree might become too exhausted trying to replenish its canopy.
Such effects greatly impact a tree’s structural integrity and can lead to the death of the tree due to the associated stress.
How to Prevent Over Pruning
Are you constantly asking yourself, “Can over pruning kill a tree?” While over pruning might not directly kill your tree, the stress it causes can result in the tree’s death.
Fortunately, there are measures you can put in place to prevent this from happening.
One of the best ways to prevent over pruning is to leave all tree maintenance tasks to licensed arborists. They have the knowledge and experience to cater to your tree’s needs without harming it.
Professional Tree Pruning Services in St. Augustine, FL
Some tree species can manage with a bit of maintenance. However, others will require a lot more care.
At Affordable Tree & Landscape, we dedicate our expertise to providing the personalized care your trees need. We know the proper tree pruning techniques to have your trees looking their best year-round.
Furthermore, our team is always ready to offer professional guidance, answering any question you have, including “Can over pruning kill a tree?”
Contact Affordable Tree & Landscape at 904-687-9856 to discuss your needs and schedule your service.
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