Pruning your plants in North Carolina is essential for maintaining their health, but it's easy to make mistakes that can do more harm than good. Three common mistakes to avoid when DIY pruning include pruning at the wrong time for your specific plants, making improper pruning cuts, and using dull tools. Pruning at the wrong time can disrupt the plant's natural growth cycle, making it more susceptible to stress and damage. Improper cuts can create open wounds that are vulnerable to disease and pests, and over-pruning can stunt growth by removing too much foliage. Using dull tools results in jagged cuts that heal poorly, increasing the risk of infections and further weakening the plant. By understanding and avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure your plants remain healthy and vibrant.

1. Pruning Your Plants at the Wrong Time Can Harm Them

Shrubs and plants in front of a property in Greensboro, NC.

Pruning at the wrong time can be particularly harmful to your plants. Each plant species has an optimal pruning season, typically based on its growth cycle and flowering period. Pruning during the wrong season can cause significant stress to the plant, disrupting its natural processes. For instance, pruning in late fall can make plants more susceptible to winter damage, as it stimulates new growth that isn't hardy enough to withstand cold temperatures. Similarly, pruning during the blooming period can remove flower buds, reducing the plant's aesthetic appeal and potential for fruit production.

2. You Can Harm Your Plants By Making Improper Pruning Cuts

Making improper cuts to plants when DIY pruning can cause significant harm, undermining the very benefits pruning aims to achieve. The main purpose of pruning is to cut away branches to improve the health of your plants; however, cutting away too much can have the opposite effect. Over-pruning can stress the plant by removing too much foliage, essential for photosynthesis, which allows the plant to produce the energy it needs to thrive. Also, improper cuts can create open wounds, making the plant more susceptible to diseases and pests. If cuts are made too close to the main stem or at an incorrect angle, it can also damage the plant's natural ability to heal, leading to dieback and further health issues.

Pruning too much of a plant at one time can disrupt the photosynthesis process!

3. Using Dull Tools When DIY Pruning Can Harm Your Plants

A person using a tool to trim a branch from a plant in Greensboro, NC.

Using dull tools when pruning can significantly harm your plants, compromising their health and growth. Sharp, clean cuts are essential for pruning because they heal more quickly and minimize the risk of disease. Dull tools, however, tend to crush or tear branches rather than make clean cuts. This damage can create jagged wounds that are more susceptible to infection and pest infestations. Using dull tools to prune your plants also causes more work for yourself, as you would need to apply more force to get the job done. Regularly sharpening and cleaning your pruning tools ensures that each cut is precise and clean, promoting healthier growth and reducing the risk of complications for your plants.

Call us today to sign up for our full-service maintenance program, which includes plant pruning!

Avoid common DIY pruning mistakes by entrusting your plants to our expert team! Our pruning service is part of our comprehensive full-service maintenance program. Our skilled team will selectively prune your plants throughout the year, ensuring their individual needs are met. This program also includes essential services such as fertilization, weed control, aeration, overseeding, and more. From March to November, we will regularly visit your property, assess your plants' needs, and prune them as needed. We offer this service to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, and nearby areas in North Carolina. To sign up and keep your landscape looking its best, call us today at (336) 396-9191!