There are many ways to kill a tree. Here are tips for keeping yours alive

"If it doesn't kill the tree outright, it will result in extremely dense growth at the ends of the chopped-off branches. This makes the tree top-heavy and unstable, resulting in catastrophic breakage. Never, ever, top a tree! Allowing the tree to grow two or more codominant leader branches with a narrow crotch angle produces an unstable overall structure as well. The tree can split down the middle as one of the large branches breaks away."

"Prune the tree when it's young to achieve an open branch structure. Ignoring broken branches or crossing/rubbing branches can leave a tree vulnerable to insect infestation. Avoid using sealant on the pruned site since this can hinder healing. Girdling is another way to kill a tree, and often this is done inadvertently. Remove tree stakes and supports once the tree is stable. Trunk wraps should not be left in place for extended periods of time."

"If the wraps were there to protect against sunburn, consider instead painting the exposed trunk with dilute white latex paint (1 part paint to 1 part water). Don't allow vines to wind around the trunk. Although it may look attractive, they can girdle the tree. Don't use a string trimmer around the base of a tree. This is a very common cause of trunk damage and tree death since it both damages the trunk (opening the way for insects and disease to enter)"

Incorrect pruning, particularly topping, causes weak regrowth, top-heaviness, and catastrophic breakage; never top a tree. Allowing multiple codominant leaders with narrow crotches produces an unstable structure that can split. Prune young trees to develop an open branch architecture. Ignore crossing, rubbing, or broken branches at increased risk of insect infestation; do not use sealants that hinder natural healing. Remove stakes, supports, and trunk wraps once stability is achieved. For sun protection, use dilute white latex paint rather than long-term wraps. Prevent vines, avoid string trimmers at the trunk base, and keep mulch off the trunk flare.

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