Will Cutting Limbs Off a Tree Kill It?

Will cutting limbs off a tree kill it? Whether you want to minimize potential storm damage or enjoy a better view from your windows, many gardening enthusiasts find themselves asking this very question.

As the go-to tree service in Wake Forest, our team at Raleigh Tree Service knows a thing or two about proper arboreal care. Keep reading as we highlight the specifics of tree pruning and how to avoid the biggest mistakes.

What’s Pruning, and Why Is It Important?

Pruning, in the simplest terms, is like giving your tree a neat haircut. It involves judiciously snipping away branches to promote healthier growth by removing dead, weak, or disease-infested limbs. In some cases, the removed branches can be used for planting a new tree from a cutting, a method that allows for the propagation of the tree species.

• Promote healthier growth by removing dead, weak, or disease-infested limbs
• Improve the tree’s visual appeal
• Enhancing flower and fruit production
• Increase sun exposure and air circulation throughout the tree and underlying landscape
• Protect passersby or surrounding structures

Pruning and Tree Mortality

Will cutting limbs off a tree kill it? Like most good things in life, pruning can also have its downsides when done incorrectly. 

Removing too many limbs can stress a specimen and leave it in a weakened state. Trim away the wrong branches, and you also risk unhealthy or ugly growth patterns. These are just some of the potential consequences of limb removal you have to keep in mind. 

Avoiding the Negative Effects of Cutting Tree Limbs

The impact of limb removal on tree health largely depends on meticulous execution. Follow these guidelines to mitigate unnecessary harm.

Find the Right Moment

Pruning during the winter season, when trees lie dormant, is generally your best bet, as it encourages vigorous growth once spring rolls around. The cold temperatures also minimize the spread of diseases and pests that could take advantage of fresh wounds.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule. Certain species, such as maples and birches, do better with late summer trims to reduce excessive sap bleeding.

Employ the Correct Techniques

The chances of tree survival after limb cutting become grim when you use obsolete practices. Methods like lion-tailing and topping can do more harm than good. They remove too much of the existing canopy and create weak branch structures.

Each cut’s position is also crucial. Trimming too close to the trunk affects the natural healing process since it leaves a large stub that fosters decay. Aim just outside the branch collar without leaving a big stub. 

Do you need to tackle big branches? Use the three-cut technique to prevent bark tearing:

• Make your first cut on the underside of the branch about two inches beyond the collar
• Cut through four inches beyond the collar and leave a stub
• Remove the stub by cutting just beyond the collar

Use Quality Tools

Even with the best methods, a pruning session can turn into a disaster without the right equipment. Dull blades create ragged cuts that hinder the tree’s healing process and may facilitate the spread of disease. Good tools to have in your arsenal include:

• Hand pruners for smaller limbs
• Lopping shears to reach higher spots
• Pruning saws for the heftiest of branches

Clean them with a mild disinfectant or alcohol, especially when moving between different trees, to prevent cross-contamination.

Consult a Local Arborist

Will cutting limbs off a tree kill it? Potentially, it could. Instead of taking the gamble, why not leave the job to Raleigh Tree Service? 

We’re masters at cutting branches and tree vitality treatments. Many in North Carolina have already made us their long-term partner, and it’s high time you did too!

Dial 919-889-5783 or explore more of our blog and learn why you should prune young trees.