Trees are very important to us because they clean the air, keep the ground from washing away, give us shade, and even improve our mental health. So, it’s best for everyone to keep trees healthy, which may mean pruning them from time to time. But if you prune a tree the wrong way, it can get hurt or even die. So, does cutting off branches really kill a tree? Let’s find out.
How Trees Heal After Pruning
To understand if improper pruning can be fatal it helps to first understand how trees heal from correct pruning. When you make the proper cut just outside the branch collar the tree forms new tissue and gradually seals the wound through a process called compartmentalization. The branch collar contains specialized cells that help wall off infections and decay.
So when pruning is done properly, trees have a built-in defense mechanism that allows them to recover and heal over time. However, trees need their leaves, branches and vascular system to transport water, nutrients and carbohydrates that fuel growth. If these are severely compromised, the tree can starve and decline.
Pruning Mistakes That Harm Trees
Even though pruning is good for trees, there are some mistakes that can hurt their ability to grow:
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Excessive pruning Removing too much of the canopy stresses the tree by reducing its ability to generate energy through photosynthesis. As a rule, arborists recommend pruning no more than 25% of a tree’s branches during one season.
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Improper cut location: Flush cuts and stub cuts negatively impact compartmentalization, preventing the tree from sealing wounds. This leaves it vulnerable to insects, disease and decay.
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Untimely pruning: Pruning during seasons when disease transmission is high or when the tree is less able to recover poses unintended risks.
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When you prune, using the wrong tools or methods can tear bark, damage branch collars, and cause infections.
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Topping: Cutting main branches back to stubs or trunks destroys the tree’s form and ability to function. This is perhaps the most harmful pruning method.
Signs of Decline After Pruning
How can you tell if pruning has harmed your tree? Be on the lookout for these symptoms:
- Lack of new growth or stunted growth
- Wilting, yellowing or browning leaves
- Peeling bark or cracks in bark
- Mushroom growth at base indicating decay
- Sunscald on exposed areas of bark
- Lots of new shoots along branches or trunk (called watersprouts)
- Wood boring insect holes
- Dead branches or branch dieback
Trees already under stress or those pruned extensively are most vulnerable to decline. But even a healthy tree can struggle to recover if pruning was done incorrectly.
Best Practices for Pruning Trees
The best way to prune trees is to:
- Educate yourself on proper techniques and timing before pruning
- Hire a certified arborist if you are uncertain about any aspect of pruning
- Always use sharp, sterile pruning tools to make clean cuts
- Prune minimally and only remove necessary branches
- Cut just outside the branch collar without leaving stubs
- Avoid pruning during seasons when disease is active
- Space out pruning over time rather than removing too much at once
Proper Pruning Techniques
To avoid harming trees, it’s vital to understand proper pruning techniques:
Cut at the right location – Cut just outside the branch collar, the slightly swollen area where the branch joins a larger branch or trunk. Don’t leave branch stubs and don’t cut flush to the trunk.
Use the 3-cut method – When removing large branches, make an undercut first to prevent bark ripping. Then cut through the branch leaving a stub. Make the final cut just outside the branch collar to remove the stub.
Prune at the right time – The best time to prune most trees is during winter dormancy. Avoid fall and early spring when disease transmission is high.
Figure out how much to cut down. For a healthy tree, don’t cut down more than 25% of the canopy in a year. Remove only necessary branches.
Use the right tools – Pruning shears, loppers, hand saws and chainsaws should be sharp, clean and fit the size of branches you are cutting.
Prune with Care at the Right Time
When done improperly, pruning can certainly damage or even kill a tree by inhibiting its ability to seal wounds and generate new growth. However, correct pruning stimulates vigor and removes hazards. By mastering proper techniques and timing, you can prune your trees with confidence knowing that you are supporting their health, safety and longevity.
branch collar,” or the part that connects the branch to the tree.
If you’re unsure where the branch collar is, it’s best to use the research you gathered on the tree earlier to assist with this. Not all trees have clear branch collars. You should prune slightly past the branch collar, but not too far over.
Cutting lower branches off trees should be done with caution. Lower branches are one of the primary ways trees maintain stability. If you cut off too many lower branches, the tree may fall during storms when the wind is too strong.
Can Cutting Branches Kill a Tree
FAQ
Is it bad to cut branches off trees?
… during the growing season can invite a host of insects and disease to the tree, potentially leading to compromised health and the eventual death of the tree.
Will a tree grow back if you cut all the branches off?
How do you protect a tree after cutting a branch?
In most cases, it is best to simply let wounds seal on their own. Over millennia, trees have developed effective mechanisms for this. Unlike people or animals, woody plants are unable to heal damaged tissues. Instead, they compartmentalize wounds with layers of cells that prevent damage from spreading any further.
Does cutting off dead branches help a tree?
Why cutting off dead branches is good for a tree, backed up by science. Plus, find out if the branches you cut can grow back!
Why do trees need a pruning cut?
Every pruning cut you make to a tree is a wound. A proper pruning cut, on the other hand, lets the tree heal itself and keep bugs and diseases from getting inside. PRO TIP: Want to learn more about tree pruning and how it benefits your trees? See some of our previous articles on pruning:
Should you cut a branch flush against a tree?
A lot of people think that cutting a branch flush against the trunk makes it look better, but this is a very bad way to prune. Flush cuts remove the branch collar – the slightly swollen area where the branch meets the trunk – which is essential for the tree’s natural healing process.
How do you cut a tree?
All pruning cuts on large branches should follow the three-step process: First, make a shallow cut on the underside of the branch, one or two inches beyond the branch collar. This will act as a barrier, preventing a bark tear if the branch falls while being cut.
What happens if you cut a tree heading?
If you do a heading cut, the end of a branch is randomly cut off. This leaves the tree open to bugs and diseases and makes the tree grow many weak branches at the cut end. The “pruner” may sometimes leave a branch that is too small at the end of a big, structural branch.
Is pruning bad for trees?
Untimely pruning: Pruning during seasons when disease transmission is high or when the tree is less able to recover poses unintended risks. Incorrect pruning method: Using the wrong tools or techniques can rip bark, destroy branch collars, and lead to infections. How can you tell if pruning has harmed your tree? Be on the lookout for these symptoms