Pruning is an essential part of overall tree care. It can help promote healthy growth, improve aesthetics and ensure safety. However, over-pruning can have many detrimental effects on a tree’s health. Over-pruning can lead to stress, diseases, and even premature death. However, the tree surgeons in Gloucester can help strike the delicate balance, which could be difficult to achieve if you want to prune the trees yourself. Let’s look at some of the potential risks of over-pruning.
Four risks of over-pruning and why you need to avoid it
Overrunning occurs when too much foliage or branches are removed at once. This can weaken the entire tree and affect its ability to thrive. Here, we have discussed some of the common risks of over-pruning.
Loss of vital nutrients
Leaves are important for photosynthesis. Removing too many leaves can significantly reduce the tree’s energy production, leading to poor growth and a weakened structure. This is one crucial reason why over-pruning must be avoided.
Vulnerability to disease and pests
Overpruned trees tend to have large wounds that take a long time to heal. This leaves the trees exposed to diseases and pests, and the scars can often become potential entry points for fungi, bacteria, and insects, further compromising the tree’s overall health.
Reduced structural integrity
Trees depend on their branches to maintain balance and stability. Excessive branch removal can result in an unbalanced canopy, making the tree more susceptible to wind damage and branch breakage.
Stress and shock
Pruning can induce a great deal of stress. When too much is removed, the tree starts to experience shock. These shocks and stressors can manifest as delayed growth, wilting, or even the death of different parts of the tree.
Because of all these risks associated with over-pruning, you must avoid it at any cost. You should always get it done by the experienced tree surgeons in Gloucester. Contact James Watt Tree and Garden Services; our experienced tree surgeons can help prune your trees correctly. Our team will ensure your garden and trees bloom in the best health.