The 4 Worst Tree Pruning Practices
#1 Tree Topping
“Topping” a tree is perhaps the worst thing that can be done to a tree. It is not an acceptable type of pruning and should not be a part of any reputable tree care company’s maintenance services.
Topping creates a tremendous amount of stress on tree health because so much live tissue is removed. This unacceptable “pruning” creates decay at the point of each topping cut. Trees typically do one of two things which is aggressively sprout new weakly attached limbs (to recover lost live tissue) or it goes into shock and declines. The response to topping is generally dictated by the type of tree, age of tree, health and other factors. Topping creates a liability by making the tree hazardous and may actually kill the tree. Climbing a previously topped tree can be extremely dangerous and should be avoided.
There is no excuse for this other than people not understanding tree biology or having respect for trees. However, as I am sitting here watching John Rahm and Max Homa duke it out at the Genesis Golf Tournament in Pacific Palisades, I can understand why people might think topping is OK. This gorgeous golf course is littered in large trees that are pollarded, which looks like topping. While pollarding is NOT topping and is an acceptable practice, I can at least understand why people think it would be acceptable.
#2 Over-pruning
For mature trees, pruning should be kept to maintaining the existing structure. If the tree has a well-established structure, the majority of pruning needed should just be the removal of dead limbs. The removal of live limbs on large, mature trees should be kept to a minimum. Removing a large portion of live limbs on a mature tree can have negative impact to both tree health and structure.
Over 50% of the live tissue from the ash tree (pictured above) was removed during pruning. This pruning has removed too much live tissue which will impact the overall health of the tree. The pruning has created an unbalanced tree because all of the weight is now at the top of the tree. The pruning also opened up the tree for excessive sunlight along the main branches. This pruning does not look good and has many negative impacts. Once again, no excuses.
#3 Bad Pruning Technique and Cuts
Equipment can make our lives easier, but some equipment can create problems. While an “extended chainsaw” seems handy it creates poor cuts and lazy technique. The picture of the maple tree below illustrates this well. Holding an extended chainsaw and standing in one place creates flush cuts, stub cuts, skinned bark, cuts and wrong angles and all kinds of horror. On this one tree, I counted 60 poor pruning cuts. Do I have to say it again. Inexcusable.
#4 Wrong Time of Year
During spring, trees expend energy to leaf out and produce flowers. After this process, a tree’s stored energy is at its lowest point and the tree needs to be left alone to recover. For most trees, this is the worst time of the year to prune. Pruning or removing any live limbs at this point will just add more stress for the tree. Pruning needs to be performed when it is best for the tree, not because the crew needs work or the client really wants it done. Tree pruning should promote tree health, not work against it.
