Prune in early June or July before these "candles" of new needles become mature. Pines do not have lateral buds, so removing terminal buds will take away new growing points for that branch. Pines seldom need pruning, but if you want to promote more dense growth, remove up to two-thirds of the length of new candles.
Generally, pruning trees in the summer is not recommended. During the summer months, most trees are still very active and growing. Trimming during this time could discourage new growth for the next season.
Prune shrubs that flower before mid-June after they flower. For these spring-blooming beauties, remove the largest stems, cutting them back to the ground. This causes the plant to push out new growth from both the crown and all remaining stems. Prune any other stems to shorten or shape the shrub.
There is never a bad time to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches. But most trees benefit from pruning in mid to late winter. Pruning during dormancy encourages new growth as soon as the weather begins to warm. The lack of leaves after autumn allows you to easily identify branches and limbs requiring removal.
These are the 3 Cs (crossing, competing and crowding) of pruning. On grafted trees you might see growth below the graft or in the ground, this is the rootstock trying to express itself as its own tree. These can be removed anytime as they rootstock growth will divert energy away from the grafted tree.
Pruning during the growing season always stimulates new growth. During summer's heat, having to produce that ill-timed new flush of growth greatly stresses a tree. Pruning in the fall is even worse as it prevents the tree from going into a natural dormancy. The exception is heavily damaged, disease or dead wood.
Pruning in autumn and winter could potentially damage the plant, as it can unbalance the root to shoot ratio during a period when it is too cold to regrow. The best time to prune is after flowering.
Generally, the best time to prune or trim trees and shrubs is during the winter months. From November through March, most trees are dormant which makes it the ideal time for the following reasons: Trees are less susceptible to insects or disease.
Pruning promotes better flowering
Pruning in summer removes masses of soft, nitrogen-rich growth, and if repeated every year, will gradually allow flower-promoting potash to build up in the plant.
Don't prune too late in northern regions.
In areas with cold winters, avoid pruning after the middle of August. If you prune too late, you may stimulate new growth that would not have time to grow thick, protective bark before the killing frosts of winter.
Summer prune timing
This is normally around the last week of July or early August. If done too early, the branches regrow leaving soft unripe wood that won't survive too many frosts. If pruned too late, the pruning wound has less time to 'heal' again resulting in winter die-back.
Tree pruning involves the removal of live branches, as well as dead, diseased, and damaged branches for the health of the tree, while tree trimming only involves the removal of branches that interfere in some way.
Pruning lower branches from trees is not harmful and benefits the tree's overall health when done properly. However, improper pruning techniques can damage a tree and lead to decay, stress, diseases, and reduced growth. It's important to use the correct methods or hire a professional.
Because of this added risk, Davey experts avoid pruning oaks from April through August when the beetles and pathogens are active. Some companies still do trim oak trees during this timeframe, which unnecessarily puts your trees and wallet in danger.
Spring flowering trees should be pruned after flowers have dropped. To avoid the introduction of disease pathogens to oaks and elms, avoid pruning between April 15 and October 15.
The 1/3 rule for pruning shrubs refers to the practice of cutting about 1/3 of wood or a branch. This approach is applied to fully established shrubs and small trees. This is done at this stage since the established shrubs and plants are past their transplant shock.
Trees produce a dense crown of leaves to manufacture the sugar used as energy for growth and development. Removal of foliage through pruning can reduce growth and stored energy reserves. Heavy pruning can be a significant health stress for the tree.
Some bad pruning examples include: Stub Cuts: These cuts leave a branch stub that prevents the tree from sealing the wound to protect it from diseases. If you can hang something off the end of a branch, it's an incorrect pruning cut.
It's not ideal. Best to trim in late fall and early spring/late winter. Some minor pruning of limbs is ok with most trees but I wouldn't do it during a high heat period.
The closer to the tree's trunk roots are cut, the more significant and harmful the damage will be. The 25% Rule – Never cut roots beyond 25 percent of a tree's total volume. The tree may die or fall as a result of this.
LaRene Bautner from Millcreek Gardens demonstrates a trimming tutorial with focus on the “3 D's for pruning” : Dead, Diseased, Damaged.
How much can you trim off a tree without killing it? You don't want to remove more than 25% of the foliage from a tree in a single year. Removing too much foliage or too many branches at once could damage your tree beyond repair.
The 1/3 rule involves cutting about 1/3 of wood during any pruning activity. This kind of moderate pruning is like giving your shrubs a good balance – it thins them out a bit and encourages new growth.