Although overpruned trees and shrubs don't usually die if some part of the canopy remains, the damagefromoverpruning can be extensive. Overpruning reduces the foliage that's available for making food for the rest of the plant and can allow pests and diseases access to the tree... Over-pruning exposes previously shaded parts of the tree to direct sunlight, which can cause sun scald—visible as bark damage or peeling. Mitigating DamageFromOver-Pruning. To mitigate damage, it is essential to identify the extent of the pruning error and develop a corrective strategy. This may involve reducing the tree's foliage to compensate for the loss of sap flow, or carefully removing damaged branches to prevent... Overpruning is one of the worst and most common mistakes in tree maintenance. Why is it so common? There is a general lack of understanding about how a tree functions or a lack of current information about tree health. Unfortunately, myths often guide tree pruning. In some cases, over-pruning may not be as severe, but may also result in plant death. In most cases, however, plants may recover, when properly cared for after the damage has been done. Often, the issues lie within the plant’s ability to produce fruit, nuts, and foliage. This increases the overall pruning needs of the tree and may lead to a cycle of ongoing damage and resprouting, wasting both time and money! Over-pruned trees are also more attractive to pests and diseases yet less able to fight them off. Tree over-pruned, showing excessive branch removal. Over-pruning any time of year. It is especially important to avoid over-pruning during the growing season, but over-pruning any time year can stress a tree, making it more susceptible to disease. Over-pruning represents one of the most common yet damaging mistakes homeowners make when maintaining their trees. This excessive removal of branches and foliage might seem like thorough care, but it can actually compromise your tree’s health, structure, and longevity. Each of these tools are best-used for specific sizes of wood and using the wrong one can cause unnecessary damage to the tree that it may struggle to heal over. For example, pruning shears are best for wood that is up to an inch thick, loppers can cut wood up to two inches thick... Exposure to sun and wind: Over-pruning can expose the tree to too much sunlight, which can scorch its bark and cause overheating. Excessive exposure to wind can also be damaging, as it can break off branches and damage the tree. You can fix over-pruned trees yourself. You’ll need patience and watch the water sprouts grow until your tree reaches its former height. Cut out the rotten and damaged part, then shape it through thinning. Although it’s impossible to fix damagefrom too much pruning, there are some things that you can do to support your tree moving forward. Make sure it gets enough water and provide fertilization as well. If you need help with a tree that has been overpruned, please give us a call. Pruning large branches with diameters over 3 or 4 inches can create wounds too large for the tree to form calluses over or compartmentalize. Depending on the crown size and branch structure, it’s better to remove a large-diameter branch by cutting it back to the branch collar. Over-pruning can damage or even kill your plants.So, how can you tell if you're over-pruning? One sure-fire way is to look at the plant itself. If it looks stressed or damaged, then you're probably doing too much.
