I feel saddened if I need to cut back a plant, hanging over to my neighbor for example, or over a walkway it is blocking. I think the plant would be better off without me cutting it back. But I have to do it for my neighbors sake and my foot-paths and walkways need to be clear as well.
Is this normal? ✂️🌿
Pruning, when done with care and strategy, is good for plants. They need their dead and diseased branches cut off so they can redirect their nutrients to better things. Some plants grow too tall for their own good and can fall/break. Sometimes one plants’ growth hinders the growth of others by choking out light and nutrients. Lastly, safety of passage ways and stairs is important, as OP has noted already.
Many people do not research the plants and trees they plant in their yard. It’s important to know how they grow (vine, shrub, etc) and how big they can become. My parents wound up with a free grape vine on their back fence because the neighbour planted them. They didn’t mind the free grapes, but they resented the pruning and sprawl of the plant. Part of being a good neighbour is being considerate to neighbours when choosing foliage for their property.
If you don’t like pruning, don’t buy plants or trees that need it. You can rehome plants that you no longer want. It’s reasonably easy to find local flowers and ground cover for your respective biome that will contribute to biodiversity.
For me some random plants grow, maybe their seeds where transported through wind or bird poop. Look cool though!
Sometimes, even when you do the research, you end up planting wisteria that sneaks under the siding, climbs, and pops out the chimney in the space of one season.
Love the stuff and making fall/spring wreathes from the trimming, but you have to watch it closely or be prepared to repair where it goes.