Trees are a great part of any landscaping plan, but while they may start small, trees can get massive. For this reason, it's important to understand how to properly prune and trim trees. If you would like to learn more, check out these four common mistakes that can damage your tree.

1. Pruning Too Much 

When it comes time to trim your tree, there's a fine line between pruning too much and not pruning enough. You want to remove all the dead branches without cutting too close to the trunk of the tree. Cutting too closely leaves a bigger wound that takes longer to heal. A bigger wound may also increase the risk of infection from fungi or pests.

Ideally, you want to cut the branch in front of the branch collar. This is where the branch connects to the tree trunk. This area holds a lot of vascular tissue. Damaging this collar leads to major sap loss. Another way to damage your tree during pruning is by trimming at the wrong time of year. Trimming at the wrong time could damage the plant or attract pests.  

2. Over-Mulching

Like any plant, trees need water to grow and thrive. During the rainy months, this isn't a problem, but when there is little to no rainfall, you may have to water the tree yourself. For this reason, many people turn to mulch. Mulch is an organic ground covering that helps hold moisture. Since it holds the moisture so well, you don't have to water your tree as often.

However, creating a mountain of mulch is dangerous too. It can hold in too much moisture. The moisture itself isn't a problem, but moisture can attract pests and fungi, and it can promote root rot, which can severely destroy the tree.

3. Topping a Tree

Topping a tree refers to cutting the crown of the tree to change its shape. This is usually done when the tree is growing into something, such as into a powerline or over someone's property. Of course, it can be done for any reason: improved view, change the shape of the tree, etc. However, in many cases, the tree ends up with a worse shape, especially if chunks are removed for power lines or other features.

Not only can this make your tree look ugly, but it may be dangerous for the tree too. Naturally, the massive amounts of pruning that need to be done to successfully top the tree increase the risk of infestation and disease thanks to all those wounds.

In addition, however, the stress put on the tree can weaken it, increasing the risk of it toppling over. Similarly, many trees that get topped end up lopsided, especially when you're topping the tree to avoid powerlines. This uneven weight can also increase the risk of the tree falling over.  

4. Using Dirty, Old Equipment

If you don't regularly work in your yard, you may not have the newest, cleanest equipment. Many people use the same trimmers for years without maintaining them. Unfortunately, this can also damage the tree. First, just like a dirty scalpel during surgery, dirty trimmers increase the risk of spreading infection and disease.

Last, old equipment is often worn down. This makes it harder to cut the branch. Instead of one smooth cut, you may have to repeatedly cut and wrench on the branch to remove it. This causes more wounds and stress to the tree.

It's important to maintain and care for your trees, but inexperienced gardeners can actually harm their trees, leading to disease, infestation, and/or rot. If you would like to learn more, or if you want to hire a professional to fix up your trees, contact a tree service provider in your area today.