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Pruning is a horticultural and silvicultural practice involving the selective removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Recently my garden become so taccey. I hired a tree arborist and they provided me an excellent service.
I am inclined to believe that plants do not need to be pruned but people want plants to be pruned to suit their desires.
There may be some hybrid species that no longer have a natural form but for the most part plants do well in nature without pruning other than natural dropping of portions when needed in weather or seasons.
I do prune plants on my property to get the form I like but it is for me, not for the plants. Almost anytime I have plants that are in my way or obstruct the line of sight I want, I change them... for my mental health, not the plant health.
Personally, I'm not sure if pruning makes the plants grow stronger, but it's a good method for removing diseased branches, deadwood, opening up the interior of the tree for more sunlight, etc. There's also the bonsai option. That's a lot of pruning.
Many folks prune regularly to shape the plant's growth or to increase fruit production and such. There's also pruning them into fun shapes such as topiary.
You don't really need to hire a tree service, though, most of this can be learned and done yourself unless it's on a really large tree. Then getting someone who is specialized (as well as insured) might be a good idea so heavy tree limbs won't end up on your house or your car.
I live in a neighborhood that is now 10 years old. When we moved in, all the trees were just planted and on average, under 15' tall. I prune lower branches every June after new growth has occurred. I want them to grow up, not out at the bottom, blocking the sidewalk and street. But many people have never touched theirs, so you have to duck walking down the sidewalk. Very annoying! If you never prune them, they can end up looking like a huge bush, rather than a tree.
I am inclined to believe that plants do not need to be pruned but people want plants to be pruned to suit their desires.
There may be some hybrid species that no longer have a natural form but for the most part plants do well in nature without pruning other than natural dropping of portions when needed in weather or seasons.
I do prune plants on my property to get the form I like but it is for me, not for the plants. Almost anytime I have plants that are in my way or obstruct the line of sight I want, I change them... for my mental health, not the plant health.
Some trees are prone to developing double leaders and narrow crotch angles (especially maples and elms). They may last 100 years like that, but they're also more likely to split in half in a storm, which starts the decay process. I've even had to prune out double leaders on young oaks to get them started growing straight.
I've been carefully pruning trees since I moved in here. I actually had one tree removed. But our dogwood which was sulking, got lots of fertilizer the first spring I was here, and I pruned it to a nice shape. It has loads of buds this year, and I expect full bloomage. (Although I understand that dogwood blossoms are not actual flowers. But you know what I mean.)
We bought a red stemmed maple, and I've been selectively pruning it. I want the nice vase shape, with no cross branches. I look at it for awhile before taking the shears to it, but you have to prune these into a coherent shape. I don't care for trees pruned into balls; I like a naturalistic shape obtained with pruning.
I am a bit puzzled by my camelia though. I took out a branch that ran up through the center of the tree, and the following year it did not bloom. Too much pruning? I don't know.
I am inclined to believe that plants do not need to be pruned but people want plants to be pruned to suit their desires.
It can be beneficial. If you look at coppice woods, some of the trees are hundreds of years older than the average lifespan when allowed to grow naturally. Likewise, in areas with heavy wind or snow where trees are 'pruned' by weather, the trees can also live much longer due to constant regrowth. For many species the extra stimulation from pruning creates 'younger' growth both in the branches and roots.
Whether it's "needed" is a matter of opinion. If time and money is invested in the tree and it's near a structure or something else that would be damaged if it falls, pruning can be the best way to keep it functional for the longest time.
I like to prune out cross-branches, suckers - the ones that shoot straight up and doesn't look like they belong to the tree at all, and anything that gets too close to the house.
Previously owner never pruned anything so little trees that the builders planted next to the house are now too big and too close to the siding. I'll have to cut off some branches that are now 3 inch in diameter to create more clearance to the house. If the branches were pruned when the tree was much smaller, it would've been kept in check better.
Selective tree pruning done correctly improves aesthetics, sturdiness and wind resistance/damage. With fruiting trees it improves the quality/size of fruit production.
Humans are so much better at managing nature than nature itself, aren't they? Like trees planted near homes or homes built close to trees.
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