Recently, a tree trimmer came to our neighborhood to trim some trees. What started off being a trim, ended in very little foliage being left on the tree.
So how much is too much?
The goal of pruning is to train the tree to grow in a certain way. Pruning, especially trees, may be neglected for many years. A little training and pruning every 3-5 years will help ensure good structure and a healthy tree.
This University of Maryland article shows some great pictures on how and why to prune trees:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pruning-trees-home-landscape/
People worry about power lines and trees. Hiring a professional is well worth the money as pointed out in the following post:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1922
But power companies take pruning to the extreme which can destroy the shape and growth habit of the tree.
So back to the original question “How much is too much”?
It is always advisable to remove no more than a third of the foliage at a time. In the above University of Maryland article, the author states the following:
“Never remove more than one-fourth of a tree’s branches at one time. Remember: it is better to make several small pruning cuts than one big cut. Avoid cutting large branches when possible.”
So as these pictures clearly show, the tree trimmer that trimmed these trees removed over 75% of the foliage.
The tree looks unnatural. But more importantly, the foliage on the tree provides food for the roots. If we take away the trees’ ability to feed their roots, it becomes stressed and more susceptible to insects and disease.
In addition, some cuts left stubs that will lead to rot, disease, and insect infestation.
Another technique known as pollarding was used in our area last year. But over-pollarding can weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to diseases and other problems.
Again, the rule of thumb is to remove no more than a third of the tree.
As you can see, these tree cutters went too far.
So what are problems with pollarding too heavily:
The ISA manual states in Chapter 8 of the training manual, “Why not to top”?:
- Loss of photosynthetic leaf area
- Insects and disease issues increase
- Future weak attachments created
- Rapid new growth
- Causes tree death
- Poor visual aesthetic
- Cost to maintain
So, what is a homeowner or business today? Hire a certified arborist. The International Society of Arborists, (ISA) certifies arborists that are trained to trim trees correctly.
You can search for a certified arborist here:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Remember, safety is key. Owning a chainsaw does not make you a tree trimmer. Whether it’s your own, or you borrow it, CHAINSAWS ARE DANGEROUS!
If you aren’t 100% confident, consider hiring a certified and credentialed arborist.
