Each part of a tree has its own specific function that is crucial to the survival of the entire plant. Bark protects the tree from external elements, while roots anchor it and absorb water and minerals from the soil, and the leaves manufacture food from sunlight.
The branches of the tree, on the other hand, are like the entire plant’s plumbing system. A twig or a stem gives way for growth. This is especially evident because these are places where leaves grow.
The plumbing system brings the water absorbed by the roots to the extremities of a tree. That’s why if you cut carelessly, you might disrupt a tree’s processes and kill it.
A lot of times, trees wither because you don’t know much about them. You need to get to know the tree before you start cutting tree limbs. If possible, get to know the species of the tree that you have on your property because each species is slightly different.
As such, whether it’s an actual branch, twig, or stem that you are about to cut, you need to be mindful. Trees can become injured when you cut them. The goal is to cut it the right way to minimize the damage and hope that it will heal properly.
Like when humans are wounded, trees can also get infected, and that can lead to their demise. But also, if trees are cut the right way, once it heals, it will become healthier.
Trees provide immense value to our lives – they purify the air, prevent soil erosion, provide shade, and even boost our mental health. As such, it’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure trees remain healthy, which sometimes necessitates pruning. But the wrong pruning techniques can actually harm or even kill a tree. So can cutting branches kill a tree? Let’s take a closer look.
How Trees Heal After Pruning
To understand if improper pruning can be fatal it helps to first understand how trees heal from correct pruning. When you make the proper cut just outside the branch collar the tree forms new tissue and gradually seals the wound through a process called compartmentalization. The branch collar contains specialized cells that help wall off infections and decay.
So when pruning is done properly, trees have a built-in defense mechanism that allows them to recover and heal over time. However, trees need their leaves, branches and vascular system to transport water, nutrients and carbohydrates that fuel growth. If these are severely compromised, the tree can starve and decline.
Pruning Mistakes That Harm Trees
While regular pruning is beneficial, certain mistakes during pruning can damage the tree’s ability to thrive:
-
Excessive pruning Removing too much of the canopy stresses the tree by reducing its ability to generate energy through photosynthesis. As a rule, arborists recommend pruning no more than 25% of a tree’s branches during one season.
-
Improper cut location: Flush cuts and stub cuts negatively impact compartmentalization, preventing the tree from sealing wounds. This leaves it vulnerable to insects, disease and decay.
-
Untimely pruning: Pruning during seasons when disease transmission is high or when the tree is less able to recover poses unintended risks.
-
Incorrect pruning method Using the wrong tools or techniques can rip bark, destroy branch collars, and lead to infections.
-
Topping: Cutting main branches back to stubs or trunks destroys the tree’s form and ability to function. This is perhaps the most harmful pruning method.
Signs of Decline After Pruning
How can you tell if pruning has harmed your tree? Be on the lookout for these symptoms:
- Lack of new growth or stunted growth
- Wilting, yellowing or browning leaves
- Peeling bark or cracks in bark
- Mushroom growth at base indicating decay
- Sunscald on exposed areas of bark
- Lots of new shoots along branches or trunk (called watersprouts)
- Wood boring insect holes
- Dead branches or branch dieback
Trees already under stress or those pruned extensively are most vulnerable to decline. But even a healthy tree can struggle to recover if pruning was done incorrectly.
Best Practices for Pruning Trees
The best way to prune trees is to:
- Educate yourself on proper techniques and timing before pruning
- Hire a certified arborist if you are uncertain about any aspect of pruning
- Always use sharp, sterile pruning tools to make clean cuts
- Prune minimally and only remove necessary branches
- Cut just outside the branch collar without leaving stubs
- Avoid pruning during seasons when disease is active
- Space out pruning over time rather than removing too much at once
Proper Pruning Techniques
To avoid harming trees, it’s vital to understand proper pruning techniques:
Cut at the right location – Cut just outside the branch collar, the slightly swollen area where the branch joins a larger branch or trunk. Don’t leave branch stubs and don’t cut flush to the trunk.
Use the 3-cut method – When removing large branches, make an undercut first to prevent bark ripping. Then cut through the branch leaving a stub. Make the final cut just outside the branch collar to remove the stub.
Prune at the right time – The best time to prune most trees is during winter dormancy. Avoid fall and early spring when disease transmission is high.
Know how much to remove – As a general rule, don’t remove more than 25% of the canopy in one year for a healthy tree. Remove only necessary branches.
Use the right tools – Pruning shears, loppers, hand saws and chainsaws should be sharp, clean and fit the size of branches you are cutting.
Prune with Care at the Right Time
When done improperly, pruning can certainly damage or even kill a tree by inhibiting its ability to seal wounds and generate new growth. However, correct pruning stimulates vigor and removes hazards. By mastering proper techniques and timing, you can prune your trees with confidence knowing that you are supporting their health, safety and longevity.
Know What to Prune
Now, it’s time for us to explain which branches you are supposed to prune.
The obvious branches to cut are the ones that are already dead. Leaving them hanging on your tree will not only infect the healthy parts and eventually kill the entire plant but also pose certain dangers to people or property. Dead branches may also fall onto people or property, which is an outcome you should avoid at all costs.
You’ll also want to prune trees that are clearly diseased. If the leaves or bark look strange compared to the rest of the tree (such as being discolored) that is a clear sign of disease. You may also find fungi growing on the branch. It’s important to cut off diseased branches before they infect the whole tree, as it will likely mitigate further damage.
Prune the Right Way
If you cut a tree branch the right way, then there’s very little risk that you’ll kill it. If you’re unsure how to approach it, you can always count on safe tree trimming Tampa experts who understand tree biology and use proper techniques to minimize harm.
For those unsure of the best practices, our professional tree trimming services can help you maintain the health and structure of your trees.
Now that you are a bit familiar with its anatomy then we can proceed with actually cutting it.
If you’re unsure what pruning entails, pruning is the term used to refer to the removal of certain parts of a tree. As we said, the goal here is to cut the right way and try to minimize the damage done to the tree.
A simple way to measure if you’ve cut a tree branch properly is by looking at the “branch collar,” or the part that connects the branch to the tree.
If you’re unsure where the branch collar is, it’s best to use the research you gathered on the tree earlier to assist with this. Not all trees have clear branch collars. You should prune slightly past the branch collar, but not too far over.
Cutting lower branches off trees should be done with caution. Lower branches are one of the primary ways trees maintain stability. If you cut off too many lower branches, the tree may fall during storms when the wind is too strong.
Can Cutting Branches Kill a Tree
FAQ
Is it bad to cut branches off trees?
… during the growing season can invite a host of insects and disease to the tree, potentially leading to compromised health and the eventual death of the tree
Will a tree grow back if you cut all the branches off?
How do you protect a tree after cutting a branch?
In most cases, it is best to simply let wounds seal on their own. Over millennia, trees have developed effective mechanisms for this. Unlike people or animals, woody plants are unable to heal damaged tissues. Instead, they compartmentalize wounds with layers of cells that prevent damage from spreading any further.
Does cutting off dead branches help a tree?
Yes – cutting off dead branches does help a tree! Here’s three science-backed reasons why, and as a bonus, learn if cut tree branches can grow back!
Why do trees need a pruning cut?
Every pruning cut you make to a tree is a wound. However, a correct pruning cut allows the tree to seal off the wounded area and prevent insects and diseases from entering the tree. PRO TIP: Want to learn more about tree pruning and how it benefits your trees? See some of our previous articles on pruning:
Should you cut a branch flush against a tree?
Many people mistakenly believe that cutting a branch flush against the trunk creates a cleaner look, but this is a serious pruning error. Flush cuts remove the branch collar – the slightly swollen area where the branch meets the trunk – which is essential for the tree’s natural healing process.
How do you cut a tree?
All pruning cuts on large branches should follow the three-step process: First, make a shallow cut on the underside of the branch, one or two inches beyond the branch collar. This will act as a barrier, preventing a bark tear if the branch falls while being cut.
What happens if you cut a tree heading?
If you do a heading cut, the end of a branch is randomly cut off. This leaves the tree open to bugs and diseases and makes the tree grow many weak branches at the cut end. The “pruner” may sometimes leave a branch that is too small at the end of a big, structural branch.
Is pruning bad for trees?
Untimely pruning: Pruning during seasons when disease transmission is high or when the tree is less able to recover poses unintended risks. Incorrect pruning method: Using the wrong tools or techniques can rip bark, destroy branch collars, and lead to infections. How can you tell if pruning has harmed your tree? Be on the lookout for these symptoms