Correct pruning practices will help enhance plant appearance and safeguard plant vitality and well-being; while improper pruning can ruin the natural habit of the tree or shrub. This involves both art and science: art in making the correct cuts, not disturbing the plant's natural form, and science in knowing how each plant will respond to a variety of pruning strategies.

“Tree pruning is often less is more... Real high quality tree pruning is often hard to notice. You won’t see a massive impact to the tree’s size and shape. Clients will have to look for a series of smaller; selective cuts.” Gary Moran Tree Side Arboricultural Consultancy
— Gary Moran Tree Side Arboricultural Consultancy