Why Your Weekend Tree Trimming Could Cost You Thousands in Disease Treatment
Every year, countless homeowners grab their pruning shears with the best intentions, aiming to maintain their trees’ health and appearance. However, what many don’t realize is that improper DIY pruning can create open wounds that become gateways for costly disease problems. Understanding tree wound management is crucial for protecting your landscape investment and avoiding expensive tree removal or treatment services down the road.
The Hidden Dangers of Improper Pruning Cuts
Trees don’t heal the way humans do. The term “healing” is a misnomer when it comes to trees. The plant tissues that have been injured are not replaced or repaired (in most cases) to their previous condition. Instead, trees can react to form physical and chemical barriers that contain the injured area and eventual effects through a process called compartmentalization.
When pruning cuts are made improperly, several serious problems can occur:
- Disease Entry Points: When trees are wounded, the newly uncovered tissue is exposed to canker pathogens and decay microorganisms that infect the tree.
- Slow Wound Closure: Even if a clean pruning cut has been made, it could be at the wrong location and cause increased compartmentalization time, leaving the tree exposed to potential insect or disease problems for a longer period of time.
- Structural Weakness: Improper tree pruning can lead to unaesthetic appearances, stunted growth, insect and disease susceptibility, compromised structure, poor branching habits, decayed and damaged limbs, and property damage due to limb failure.
Common DIY Pruning Mistakes That Lead to Disease
Even well-intentioned pruning can lead to lasting damage if done incorrectly. The most problematic DIY mistakes include:
Flush Cuts: Flush cuts remove the branch right up against the trunk, cutting into the branch collar—the swollen area at the base of the branch where healing begins. This interrupts the tree’s natural defense mechanisms and slows down the wound’s closure. When the collar is removed, the protective zone is removed, causing a serious trunk wound. Wood-decay fungi can then easily infect the trunk.
Stub Cuts: Improper pruning has left a branch stub. A stub like this usually decays, leads to disease infection, or becomes an entry point for insects.
Using Dull or Dirty Tools: Blunt tools will not make clean cuts. Messy cuts will take longer to heal and can make your plant vulnerable to diseases. Additionally, Unclean or dull tools can crush branches and transfer disease from one tree to another. This not only creates jagged wounds but also puts the tree at greater risk for infection.
The Myth of Tree Wound Sealers
Many DIY enthusiasts believe that applying wound sealers or paint to pruning cuts will protect trees from disease. However, research has consistently shown the opposite. In reality, pruning paint may impede healing and encourage the growth of rot organisms and insect infestation. Rather than seal out infection, wound dressings often seal in moisture and decay.
Research from the University of Arizona, found pruning sealers actually obstruct trees’ natural healing power. Tree pruning sealers are bad they make it harder for your tree to recover. Plus, pruning sealers may trap moisture in the tree, which can encourage wood decay or fungi.
The Financial Impact of Disease Problems
What starts as a simple pruning mistake can escalate into expensive problems. This energy reduction also leaves the tree unable to heal from wounds effectively, resist the effects of pest infestations, and fight off diseases. In addition to potentially misshaping the tree permanently, excessive removal of branches creates wounds that leave the tree open to pest infestations and disease.
Trees weakened by improper pruning may require:
- Professional disease treatment programs
- Emergency tree removal if the tree becomes hazardous
- Replacement costs for mature trees
- Property damage repairs from falling diseased limbs
Professional Tree Care Makes the Difference
Proper wound management starts with understanding tree biology and using correct techniques. Basically, the best way to help insure proper wound closure and quick and effective sealing of the tissue is a proper pruning cut and preventing damage whenever possible.
Professional arborists understand that faster wound closure results in fewer health issues for the tree. Quick healing is always better! They make precise cuts that work with the tree’s natural defense systems rather than against them.
For Suffolk County residents, working with experienced professionals like Jones Tree & Plant Care ensures your trees receive scientifically-based care. As a licensed arborist, Jones is committed to offering scientifically based landscape management and delivering quality services. Jones Tree and Plant Care will inspect your landscape, diagnose any problems, and make recommendations based on knowledge and expertise gained through over 10 years of experience in the industry. As a certified arborist, Jones receives continuous education and instruction, and is always up to date on the latest trends and techniques.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
The most cost-effective approach to tree wound management is prevention through proper tree care practices. This includes:
- Having trees professionally assessed before any major pruning
- Understanding the proper timing for pruning different species
- Using certified arborists for complex or large-scale pruning projects
- Maintaining tree health through proper fertilization and watering
A total tree and plant care approach will improve growth, condition and appearance of your property, all while using environmentally sensitive, affordable treatments.
While DIY tree maintenance might seem like a way to save money, the risks of creating disease entry points through improper pruning far outweigh the initial savings. Investing in professional tree care protects your landscape investment and ensures your trees remain healthy assets rather than costly liabilities. Remember, when it comes to tree wound management, an ounce of professional prevention is worth a pound of expensive cure.