Why not both? Isn't that a broad definition of being a plant owner? We act as gods, demanding results for the things we give them, forcing them in certain directions and punishing them if they don't behave by cutting off limbs.
If we don't have mercy, they don't survive. We decide if they get offspring or not. We decide if sickness is treated or not.
That's borderline deity behavior.
Every tree wants to grow big and strong. We don't allow it.
I think it's fun to fiddle around and make trees do what I want them to do and find out the boundaries. But agreed, it's not always best for the tree.