A few people have concerns after heavy pruning, leaving only a few feet of the main trunk with no branches left.
When you are holding a pruning saw and faced with a scraggly-looking tree or shrub, it could be tempting to get carried away and accidentally cut off more than you intended. Pruning requires a very delicate balance. If you trim too little, you may leave behind unsightly branches that could disrupt a tree’s appearance. If you cut too much, you risk compromising the tree’s overall structure and health, too. A few people have concerns after heavy pruning, leaving only a few feet of the main trunk with no branches left. The good news is that many shrubs and trees can recover quickly from extensive cuts. Read on to learn more!
How to Fix an Over-Pruned Shrub or Tree
While different plants have different pruning needs, a typical guideline is to avoid pruning more than 15 to 20 percent of your tree’s canopy at any time. This is a crucial rule to keep in mind for future pruning tasks. However, if you have already cut back too much, do not panic. There are some things you can do to help your plant recover.
- Identify your plant first. The kind of plant you have pruned will be crucial. A few shrubs could be cut back to the ground and still bounce back as if nothing happened, and others may struggle to survive severe instances of pruning.
- Be patient during the process. If your tree wasn’t severely diseased or weakened, it should be able to produce more growth over time. However, do not expect to see new blooms right away – regrowth could take a year or more, and it might be a couple of years before the tree or shrub will fully recover.
- Seek professional advice for any tree or shrub issues. Consult with a certified arborist from Harford Tree could give you valuable insight into whether your tree will recover or if further intervention is required.
- Guide for new growth for your trees and shrubs. As the new branches start growing, you can use a pruning method known as thinning to help shape the canopy and strengthen the tree’s primary branches.
- Avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. Once a tree has been over-pruned, it could take a very long time to regain it’s former vitality and shape. To prevent this from occurring again, consider asking the proper questions before you hire somebody to prune your trees.
If you are unsure how to care for your over-pruned trees, consider a free consultation and visit from Harford Tree for advice on how to nurture them back to full health.
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh and Middle River.
For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.