Why Over-Pruning Your Trees Is The Worst Mistake You Can Make
By MARCO ROSSI
When you over-prune your trees, it creates multiple wounds on them, leading to increased stress and vulnerability. It also makes them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
In the worst-case scenario, trees can even die. It also reduces their ability to perform photosynthesis, which can lead to trees being inadvertently starved of necessary nutrients.
As per experts, you shouldn't prune more than ¼ of a tree at any given time. Since it's difficult to fix a tree that has been over-pruned, aim to trim back as little as possible.
If a tree requires more extensive thinning, it's best to make a removal plan that spans several years, allowing the tree ample time to recover between pruning sessions.