Thanks to the profusion of DIY TV shows and instruction manuals that tackle basically everything, a lot of people think they could do a many things on their own. One of the most common topics for DIY are tree trimming tasks—tasks that are better left to people like trained San Jose tree care pros who know their craft well. Writing on FineGardening.com, Erik Draper notes:
Pruning is a science and an art. The science involves recognizing plant flaws and skillfully eliminating or minimizing these defects. The artistic end involves removing these bad parts or pieces with a disguised grace so that the plant appears unmarred and untouched.
Looking at the excerpt above, it’s easy to say that pruning—especially if you want exceptional results—is ideally entrusted to skilled tree care professionals. In fact, here are some of the most common mistakes that inexperienced DIYers commit while trimming their trees or plants:
Topping – Considered the ugliest of all tree trimming mistakes, topping occurs much more often with trees like Crape Myrtles, as well as on other trees that seem too big for their place. Topping basically involves cutting away a large section of the top portion of a tree’s crown, which causes issues like quick rotting of the cut stems on top and a weakened tree.
Stub cutting – This practice leaves unsightly short stubs where branches used to be. These branches are often cut too far out from the main stem, leading to the appearance of ugly, severed limbs that don’t heal properly. The healing process is slowed down because stub cutting removes the tree’s branch collar, an area of tissue with a group of cells necessary to heal the cut.
Bark ripping – Not cutting entirely through a heavy branch and just letting it fall off causes the bark to get torn apart. Tearing apart the bark leaves scarring, which can pave the way for infections and rotting.
Bad timing – Some specific species of trees are best pruned during certain seasons. The best time to prune also depends on a tree’s current condition. For instance, oak trees in Texas must not be pruned between February and June, mainly because oak wilt disease is much more prevalent during those times.
Not seeking professional assistance – This is pretty much self-explanatory. People who work with local San Jose tree trimming companies like Bay Area Tree Specialists are well-equipped, well-trained, and much more experienced in doing pruning work, so it’s best to leave the job to them in the first place.
(Source: Five Common Pruning Mistakes, and How to Fix Them, FineGardening.com)