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.
When to Prune Trees. The best time to prune is between mid-February and early May. Trees pruned at this time in early spring develop a callous around the cut much more rapidly than those pruned at other times. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Remember: pruning trees in spring can leave them more vulnerable to insect infestation and diseases. That's why you don't want to prune these trees in spring, summer, or early fall: Oak trees to reduce the chance of oak wilt (if oak wilt is in your area) Elm trees to reduce the chance of Dutch elm disease.
Fall pruning also helps eliminate unwanted insect and disease problems. Major fall pruning should be done after the tree is completely dormant, so you do not stimulate any new growth that could be prone to winter injury. Some trees will bleed sap if they are pruned in the spring.
The winter months are the ideal time, approximately November through March, which are the dormant months for trees and most plants. With a few exceptions, these colder months are generally the best time to trim a tree.
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.
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.
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.
To find the proper place to cut a branch, look for the branch collarthat grows from the stem tissue at the underside of the base of the branch (Fig. 6A). On the upper surface, there is usually a branch bark ridge that runs (more or less) parallel to the branch angle, along the stem of the tree.
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.
Post-Pruning Care
After pruning, give your trees a thorough watering to help them begin their recovery quickly. It's also a good idea to fertilize the tree so it has extra energy to naturally close the pruning wounds and reduce stress on the tree.
By strategically cutting off the bottom branches on your trees (officially called crown raising) you can increase safety and accessibility in your yard, enhance your tree's aesthetic appeal, promote healthy growth, and prevent potential damage and hazards.
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.
Prune all branches above four feet growing toward the center of the tree. Always cut back to a larger branch of the trunk. Don't cut to see over branches, but to see through them. Cut off branches that cross each other, rub against the trunk or are dead.
Proper pruning encourages strong growth, increases flower and fruit production, improves plant health, and removes damaged limbs, all which give aesthetic appeal to a tree. Pruning at the right time and in the right way is critical, since it is possible to kill a healthy tree through neglect or over-pruning.
An arborist, or (less commonly) arboriculturist, is a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants in dendrology and horticulture.
In most cases pruning a tree every three to five years is ideal. For others, it's every two years. That said, this big window doesn't even apply to all trees—some need more TLC, and others need less. Our advice: tap an arborist work with you to create a tree care plan.
Branches that Double-cross or Grow Inward or Grow Downward:
Branches that touch can chafe and create an access point for insects and disease. Similarly, branches that grow inward toward the central stem or trunk are likely to end up chafing against other parts of the plant, so it's best to prune them.
Pruning. If the crown of your tree is stretching too tall or wide, corrective pruning can help rein it in and size it down for the space available. It's crucial to prune a tree before it becomes a problem because taking away too many branches could cause unnecessary stress.
As a general rule, a light summer pruning can be performed on most deciduous trees and shrubs. Heavier pruning should be performed when the tree is dormant, preferably in late winter before active growth begins.
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.
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.
Increased light and air circulation resulting from trimming encourages the overall health of the tree. Pruning in the summer helps to support robust and durable branch development, which will help support healthy fruit in the future.