What Are the Signs You’ve Overpruned Your Trees in Mesa?

Pruning is essential for healthy trees, especially in Mesa’s arid climate. But when it’s overdone, your trees can suffer more harm than good. Overpruning is a common mistake among well-meaning homeowners and even inexperienced landscapers. So, how can you tell if you’ve gone a little too far with the shears? Below, we explain what to look for. When you need professional pruning services in Mesa, AZ, or the surrounding areas, give the team at Bassett Tree Service a call.

Bare Branches and Sparse Canopy

One of the first signs of overpruning is a tree that looks too thin or “bare.” If you can see large amounts of sunlight passing through the canopy or the tree suddenly resembles a skeleton, chances are you’ve removed too much foliage. In Mesa, this is especially risky, as the direct sun can scorch exposed limbs and stress the tree.

Rapid Sprout Growth 

When a tree’s been stressed by overpruning, it often goes into survival mode. One way it reacts is by pushing out lots of fast-growing vertical shoots called water sprouts. These suck up energy but don’t add much beauty or strength to the tree. It’s the tree’s way of trying to recover lost energy reserves quickly.

Sunburned Bark

Yes, trees can get sunburned, too, especially in Mesa’s intense desert sun. If you’ve removed too many limbs or too much leaf coverage, the bark is left unprotected. This can lead to cracking, peeling, or even permanent damage to the trunk and main branches.

Delayed Growth or Decline

Trees need leaves for photosynthesis—the process that turns sunlight into energy. Take too many off, and your tree might stop growing, drop more leaves than usual, or even begin to decline in health. Yellowing leaves, dead limbs, and stunted growth are all red flags.

How to Avoid Overpruning

Stick to trimming no more than 20 to 25 percent of a tree’s canopy at a time. Focus on dead, diseased, or poorly placed branches. And if you’re unsure, it’s worth bringing in a certified arborist who understands the region’s unique tree needs and desert climate.

Tree Trimming and Pruning in Mesa

Trimming and pruning tree branches can often be a great alternative to tree removal, when possible. Trimming can boost the health of a tree by removing diseased areas and reducing the weight of heavy branches that cause leaning or other issues. The experts at Bassett Tree Service would be happy to provide an on-site analysis of a tree to help you make an informed decision about its future. Our team works with all species of trees! Call us at 480-745-2290 to learn more.