Is Your Landscaper Putting Your Trees at Risk?

Every spring we get a flood of calls from customers who’ve had the painful experience of living with the results of a landscape companies version of a ‘haircut for your trees’. Most homeowners assume their landscaper can handle tree trimming. That assumption is costing people thousands of dollars in preventable tree damage every year across Pennsylvania and the US. Tree care is not landscaping. It’s a specialized practice governed by ANSI standards, ISA guidelines, and years of training.

If your trees are being pruned incorrectly, the damage may not show up immediately—but it will show up. This guide will help you spot the difference between proper tree care and harmful practices—and when to call a professional tree service near you.

If your trees were recently pruned and something looks “off,” trust that instinct.

Schedule a professional tree inspection with a certified arborist in Pennsylvania

A quick assessment now can prevent long-term structural damage—or even tree loss.

Not all landscapers are trained in arboriculture—and that’s where problems start. Untrained trimming can cause:

The biggest issue? Most of this damage isn’t obvious at a glance… but it often spirals into big problems down the road costing more money and headaches that could have been easily avoided.

This is one of the most harmful practices in tree care.

What it looks like:

Why it’s harmful:

Outdated Practice — Never Acceptable (ANSI A300 violation)

Where and how a cut is made matters.

Common mistakes:

Result:

This is a sure sign that your landscape crew is a liability to your trees

What it looks like:

Why it’s dangerous:

Healthy trees start below ground.

Common oversight:

Result:

Trees grow in unique branching patterns based on their species. What is good and healthy for one species is bad and harmful for another.

Bad cut selection strategy can:

Best Practice: Refer to guides likeEdward Gillmans: An Illustrated Guide to Pruning

Proper pruning isn’t just about appearance—it’s about long-term structure and safety.

Benefits of Professional Tree Care:

A certified arborist follows ANSI A300 pruning standards, not guesswork.

Here’s what you should actually look for:

If they can’t explain how they prune and why, they shouldn’t be touching your trees.

If your landscaper is also offering “tree trimming” as an add-on service, that’s a red flag. Tree care should be handled by trained professionals—not general labor crews.

Watch for these warning signs:

These are often signs of stress caused by improper techniques.

Trees don’t “heal”—they compartmentalize damage. When cuts are made improperly:

This is why cut placement and size matter so much in professional pruning.

Don’t wait if you notice:

If you want your trees to be:

Hire a certified arborist—not just a landscaper.

Schedule Your Tree Assessment Today

Protect your property and your trees before small issues become expensive problems.

A proper inspection includes:

Before finishing this article, you may not have realized how vulnerable your trees may be to untrained hands. You may not have understood the nuances of pruning and what is at risk if a tree is exposed to poor judgements on things like cut placment and structural planning for the unique growth pattern of each species.

We find purpose and meaning from helping people like you care for their trees and shrubs in the most professional way possible. If you’re unsure about past work or planning future trimming, getting a professional opinion is one of the smartest investments you can make.