Skip to content
A pair of secateurs and a Saturday afternoon can seem like all you need to tidy up the trees on your Bellarine Peninsula property. But tree pruning is easy to get wrong, and a poorly executed job can leave a tree weaker, uglier, and more prone to disease than if it had been left alone.
Topping
Cutting off the top of a tree to control its height is one of the most common — and most damaging — mistakes homeowners make. Topping shocks the tree, triggers weak, fast-growing regrowth, and often leads to decay at the cut points. It rarely achieves the look people are hoping for and can shorten the tree’s life significantly.
Removing Too Much at Once
A tree relies on its leaves to produce energy. Removing more than around 20-25% of the canopy in a single session can stress the tree, reduce its ability to recover from wounds, and make it more vulnerable to pests and disease.
Pruning at the Wrong Time of Year
Different species respond better to pruning at different times of year. Cutting at the wrong time can trigger excessive sap loss, interfere with flowering or fruiting, or leave fresh wounds exposed during periods when pests and fungal disease are most active.
Cutting in the Wrong Place
Cuts made too close to the trunk, or leaving stubs behind, both interfere with a tree’s natural ability to seal off the wound. Proper cuts are made just outside the branch collar, giving the tree the best chance to heal cleanly.
If you’re unsure whether a tree needs pruning — or how much is safe to remove — it’s worth getting a professional opinion before reaching for the loppers. Bellarine Tree Service Group’s qualified arborists can assess your trees and prune them correctly the first time. Call us on (03) 5292 1800 for a free quote.