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Tree Pruning Dos and Don’ts Every Homeowner Should Know

Tree Pruning Dos and Don’ts Every Homeowner Should Know

Trees are magnificent entities that require a little care to maintain health, beauty, and safety. One of the…

Apr 15,2025

Trees are magnificent entities that require a little care to maintain health, beauty, and safety. One of the most common tree care practices includes pruning, which involves cutting overgrown, decaying, damaged, or dead limbs. While the process may seem straightforward, attempting pruning without the expertise and knowledge can lead to severe damage and premature tree removal. As a reputable tree care company in Snellville, GA, Sesmas Tree Service can inspect your trees and devise tailored pruning plans to achieve the desired results with minimal damage.

Tree Pruning Dos and Don’ts Every Homeowner Should Know

The Dos

As mentioned, trees require regular care to ensure optimal health and longevity. Before undertaking such an invasive task, here are the things you should do to ensure success and avoid hazards.

Prune to Establish a Good Structure

A structurally sound tree is protected against limb breakage, failure, and health complications. Strategic pruning is vital in helping trees establish a good structure that supports proper growth throughout. In addition, it is easier and cheaper to prune young trees than fix an old one. A certified tree service can devise a tailored pruning plan to establish a good structure while enhancing curb appeal.

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Prune to Reduce Risk

Trees can be valuable additions to your landscape or a liability. As a homeowner, you want your trees to remain healthy, keeping your landscape and the environment in top shape. You can achieve this by removing diseased, dead, and crowded branches. Additionally, water sprouts and suckers can compromise a tree’s well-being, prompting immediate pruning services.

Prune to Maintain Clearance

Over time, tree limbs can grow into structures, parking spots, and other trees. Strategic pruning not only provides clearance but also directs fresh growth away from buildings, reducing the need for future pruning. According to tree service providers, standard tree clearing should be 3 feet from buildings, 8 feet from roofs, 10 feet from chimneys, 8 feet from sidewalks, and 14 feet from roads. Whether you are pruning to reduce risks or establish structure, complying with local clearance guidelines is vital.

The Don’ts

Now that you know the dos of tree pruning, knowing what not to do is also as important. Let’s delve into the don’ts of tree pruning to help you navigate the process successfully.

Don’t Top

A common pruning mistake DIYers make is topping. This involves removing large branches from the canopy and leaving a naked trunk or stub. A common misconception is that topping reduces tree size, minimizing the need for frequent pruning sessions in the future. However, topping causes rapid regrowth and many other problems down the road. These issues include starvation, weak limbs, large pruning wounds, and lower aesthetic appeal.

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

Don’t Lions Tail

Lion tailing is another common pruning mistake that strips a tree’s inner leaves and branches, creating bare branches with tufted ends that resemble a lion’s tail. This results in branches with heavier ends and likely to break during adverse weather. Additionally, naked branches are more prone to bark damage and sunscald, inviting infestations and infections.

Don’t Over Prune

A rule of thumb is that you should not prune over 25% of a tree’s canopy. Leaves are vital for manufacturing food through photosynthesis, so removing too many in one season can lead to growth problems and pest infestations. If you have a pruning project lined up, it is advisable to consult a trusted tree care company for advice and guidance.

Unlike untrained individuals, certified arborists leverage extensive expertise and specialized equipment to prune trees effectively while maintaining the safety of everyone on the premises and the trees. Contact us at Sesmas Tree Service and schedule a consultation with our experts to access quality pruning services without breaking the bank. Do not let the short-lived benefits of DIY pruning bait you into attempting such invasive tasks. Hire our experts to handle the heavy lifting, from the initial evaluation to pruning and tree removal if necessary.

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