The Ugly Truth About Tree Pruning

Pruning gives a lot of benefits to trees but have you seen the ugly side of it?

The Negative Consequences of DIY and Unskilled Pruning

If you're like most people, you probably assume that tree pruning is a simple task that anyone can do. After all, what could be so hard about cutting back a few branches? But the truth is that improper pruning can have a serious and devastating impact towards your tree's health.

Here's a common mistake we see when it comes to pruning trees. Cutting back too much of a tree's canopy can reduce its ability to produce food through photosynthesis. This can weaken the tree and make it more vulnerable to disease and pests. In addition, pruning cuts can create wounds that allow pathogens to enter the tree, leading to infection and decay.

Just take a walk through any neighbourhood and you're bound to see trees that have been improperly pruned. Some may have had their canopies cut back so severely that they no longer provide adequate shade, while others may have had large branches removed, leaving ugly and potentially dangerous stubs.

So, why are unskilled pruning practices so prevalent on Sunshine Coast? Well, one major reason we see is that scammers are literally everywhere, claiming to be professional arborists and offering their services to unsuspecting homeowners.

Joyce Pascoe, an 89-year-old dementia sufferer, lost tens of thousands of dollars in a tree pruning scam when she was targeted by a door-to-door salesperson who offered to prune her trees. Not only did those crooks do a terrible job pruning the trees, they literally siphoned off the poor lady's money.

Unfortunate incidents such as Joyce's case push other homeowners to go the DIY route, afraid to suffer the same fate and lose their money. But as we have mentioned in our previous articles, tree work is a dangerous task, especially if you're dealing with big trees.

Instead of taking matters into your own hands and attempting to prune your trees on your own, be cautious when hiring a tree care professional. Look for a company that is licensed and insured, and ask for references from previous customers. Additionally, it's important to understand the basics of proper pruning techniques so that you can be sure that your trees are being cared for properly.

The Impact on Local Wildlife

It's no secret that trees play a vital role in supporting local wildlife. From providing food and shelter to serving as nesting sites, trees are a crucial part of our ecosystem. But what happens when these habitats are disturbed or destroyed by improper pruning practices?

Trees provide critical habitat for a wide range of species, from birds and mammals to insects and reptiles. When trees are pruned, their canopies are often thinned out or cut back, reducing the amount of shelter and food available to wildlife. Pruning can also disrupt the natural balance of a tree's ecosystem, causing species to move or abandon the area altogether.

So, what can be done to address this problem?

Make sure that pruning is done in a way that minimizes the impact on wildlife. This can include avoiding pruning during nesting seasons, leaving some deadwood in trees to provide habitat for insects and birds, and working with a qualified arborist who understands the importance of preserving wildlife habitats.

Improper Pruning Affects the Environment, too!

Many homeowners and businesses prune their trees more frequently than necessary, often in an effort to maintain a certain aesthetic or to address safety concerns. While pruning can certainly help to keep trees healthy and safe, excessive pruning can have negative consequences for the environment.

One example of the impact of excessive pruning on the environment can be seen in the decline of tree canopy cover in urban areas. Tree canopy cover refers to the amount of land covered by trees and is a key indicator of the health of an urban environment. When trees are pruned excessively, their canopy cover is reduced, which in turn reduces the benefits they provide, including carbon sequestration and shade.

The best way to address this problem is to encourage more intentional and responsible tree pruning practices and work with qualified arborists who understand the importance of responsible pruning and the impact it has on the environment. Most tree care and maintenance companies offer a free consultation and assessment which gives property owners a chance to ask questions and discuss which tree maintenance solution is best for any given situation.

The Way Forward

There is only one plausible solution to avoid malpractice in tree pruning and that is to hire a team of qualified arborists. They have the knowledge and skills needed to prune trees in a way that is safe and effective. Moreover, you can guarantee that trees are pruned responsibly and that negative consequences are mitigated.

As a homeowner, it is also equally important for you to know the basics of tree pruning and its importance. Educating ourselves about proper tree care can help change our perception and attitude towards tree pruning.

By taking a more thoughtful and responsible approach to tree care, we can help to minimize the negative impacts of improper pruning practices and promote a healthier environment not just for you and your family, but for everyone. 

Looking for skilled and qualified arborists to prune your trees? Call Arborist Sunshine Coast at 07 5451 8756 or fill out the contact form and avail of our free consultation and tree assessment.