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3 Signs of Over-Pruning & How to Fix It

3 Signs of Over-Pruning & How to Fix It

Pruning is a great way to maintain lush and durable trees. This routine care exercise gets rid of…

Mar 18,2025

Pruning is a great way to maintain lush and durable trees. This routine care exercise gets rid of diseased, damaged, dead, or overgrown limbs, preventing safety hazards and property damage down the line. However, there is such a thing as excessive pruning, which causes severe damage and premature tree removal. If your trees are not growing as expected or losing foliage, call Sesmas Tree Service to inspect, diagnose, and prune them properly. Unlike DIY enthusiasts, our certified tree service providers in Alpharetta, GA can assess your trees and recommend effective pruning techniques to achieve the desired results without severe damage. Let’s delve into the three common signs you have over-pruned your trees to help you make informed decisions.

3 Signs of Over-Pruning & How to Fix It

Tree Growth Is Stunted

The most obvious sign of over-pruning is stunted growth. When your trees don’t grow as quickly as expected, you might be trimming them too much. Excessive pruning causes an imbalance in the tree, disrupting its natural growth cycle. Trees need a certain amount of foliage to produce energy through photosynthesis. When you prune too many leaves, your trees struggle to make food, meaning they do not have sufficient energy to support their growth and development. If you notice a tree on your property is not growing properly, consult a tree care company to implement effective restorative measures and recommend suitable pruning techniques.

Reduced Foliage

Another sign you have over-pruned your trees is a significant reduction in foliage. While the effects of pruning may not be apparent, removing too much foliage limits the tree’s ability to support itself. This usually leads to low food production, thinner branches, bare spots, and bare spots on the crown. In severe cases, excessive pruning can lead to death and tree removal emergencies. Arborists and industry experts recommend taking at least 1/3 of the foliage annually to avoid such scenarios.

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Increase in Interior Sprouting

Lastly, you may have gone overboard with pruning when you notice a lot of sprouts growing in the interior. While sprouting is a normal response when you cut off many branches, when too many grow in the interior it shows the tree needs time to recover. Fresh growth usually does not receive as much sunlight, leading to weakness and an uneven shape. In addition, sprouts require extra maintenance to keep them under control, taking attention from healthy and full branches.

When Is the Best Time of Year to Prune Trees?

Now that you know the signs of over-pruning, knowing when to remove damaged, dead, or diseased branches is crucial. Tree pruning is an invasive process that can cause significant damage if done incorrectly or at the wrong time. Tree service professionals recommend pruning in winter when the trees are dormant, as it encourages fresh growth when the weather warms up. In addition, fewer leaves in autumn make it easier to identify signs of deterioration.

A common mistake DIYers make is pruning in the fall, which increases the risk of infections and infestations. A tree care company can devise a routine care plan that includes pruning schedules, giving you peace of mind all year round. Since different tree species require specific maintenance, you can leverage the expertise of trained arborists to ensure the right pruning time and optimal growth.

Call a Professional Tree Service

Trees are vital for our landscapes and the environment. Like most living things, they require regular care to enhance growth and overall well-being. If you notice overgrown, damaged, or dead limbs in your yard, contact Sesmas Tree Service quickly. We leverage extensive expertise and specialized equipment to provide quality pruning and trimming services at competitive rates.

Customer Reviews

3 large Leyland Cypress trees removed near front of our home. Excellent service, professional crew, very competitive pricing for superior work! Rolando provided the initial estimate and the  follow up and was the best in terms of customer relations. I'd both use this company again AND highly recommend them.

Susan Hitchcock

This is the 2nd time we have used Sesmas Tree Service. They are a wonderful company to deal with. They were on time, professional, and very thorough. They cleaned up prior to leaving and went out of their way to protect our plants and landscaping. And they kept to their proposal with no hidden cost or add ons. Definitely a five star experience!

Gene McFadden

Wow!  I deal with tree services in my professional work and I can honestly say Sesmas is by far the most professional, best equipped, efficient, safety conscious, and communicative service I've ever encountered.  Their price was very reasonable and they even went so far as to include additional work without increasing the price.  Call them!  Now! They are very quick to respond.

Scott McLendon

We've used Sesmas several times and have always received excellent service.  Estimates are quick and easy and the crew is efficient and leaves the property clean of debris.  Recently we needed a tree removed next to a heavily landscaped area.  Sebastian went over everything with me in detail and listened to my concerns.  The crew did an excellent job in removing the tree with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.  We are pleased and will consider them again in the future for pruning and tree removal.

Tonia Griswold

Sesmas Tree Service was amazing! I had two dead trees cut and a lot of trees that were already down on my property removed. Sebastian came out and sent the quote in writing within 24 hours. We were in the process of scheduling the service when a slot opened up sooner snd I was able to go ahead and get the work done. Everything was explained ahead of time for what to expect. The crew was very efficient and professional.  All of the work and cleanup was done in one day. I would recommend Sesmas for your tree cutting/cleanup needs.

LaDora Woods

I hired Sesmas to cut down a very tricky tree that was hanging over my house as well as a few large limbs. They did a great job and had the machinery to get the job done right.

Perry Hartman

Great experience with Sesmas. They were meticulous with my tree removal, safe and efficient. David’s communication throughout the process was much appreciated. Highly recommend!

Lindsay Ellenburg

Great experience with Sesmas Tree Service. The arborist who came out was a Board Certified Master Arborist, and you could immediately tell he knew his stuff. He took the time to explain what needed to be done, gave us clear options, and helped us feel confident from start to finish. The whole process was easy and professional. We’ll definitely use them again.

Ed Martin

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