How to Stop a Tree Limb from Growing Back

Whenever residents want quality services from St. Augustine’s professional tree pruning provider, they call our licensed arborists at Affordable Tree & Landscape. We answer numerous inquiries from first-time and veteran gardeners about tree growth and the structural integrity of branches and trunks. One of the most common ones we get is how to stop a tree limb from growing back after pruning.

As tree care professionals, we advocate for letting trees grow how nature intended, but we know practicality is important for many clients. Whatever type of tree you have in your yard, your pruning practices will determine whether large branches will loom over your house and cars, threatening them with damage when a storm hits.

We will outline how tree limbs and branches heal in this explainer about plant growth. We will also delineate how to prevent them from returning after cutting so you do not have to pay twice for the same custom pruning job.

Do All Branches Grow Back After I Cut Them?

As licensed pruners, our tree care professionals are responsible for giving hundreds of deciduous and evergreen trees in St. Augustine a haircut. We are happy to say that when cut correctly, many branches won’t grow back. Mature trees become self-regulating, as they do not stimulate growth in shaded parts of their canopies. When you cut a branch off the lower crown of a tree, it is usually gone for good.

That said, there are caveats. Trees direct their resources and energy to branches with the best chances of survival. They are often at the top. Branches pruned from canopy tips have a higher statistical likelihood of growing back no matter how you cut them.

How to Stop a Tree Limb from Growing Back

The key to learning how to stop a tree limb from growing back is reading about how trees deliver nutrients to branches. Branches develop four parts over a year:

• Terminal buds at the tip, where new leaves and extensions might grow
• Nodes where trees save nutrients for a new shoot
• Lateral buds, which are generally thicker after being with the tree for a few seasons
• The bud scale scar, which signifies the tree went through a dormant season

Cut your tree limbs at a straight angle on the node to prevent nutrients from allowing the branch to regrow. Mix an FDA-approved growth regulator with water according to manufacturer specifications and apply it to the limb stub with a brush. Layer on a pruning sealer after a day or two to minimize sap loss and minimize chances of regrowth.

Contact a Professional Pruner

Wondering how you root a tree branch without cutting it or how to stop a tree limb from growing back? Then consider reaching out to us. We can provide you with more information and extensive service. Contact an experienced pruner by calling Affordable Tree & Landscape at 904-687-9856 for a free consultation. We’d be happy to discuss your unique needs today.