When is the Best Time to Prune Trees?

When is the Best Time to Prune Trees?

To keep trees in good health, pruning is almost always essential. Pruning helps trees grow new healthy branches. Pruning is also done to remove any branches that are dead or infested with pests or disease. Light pruning should be carried out whenever necessary. For instance, if there happens to be some dead or infested branches, they should be trimmed immediately. To avoid any damage to the tree, pruning should be done only by a professional tree lopping service.

While pruning should be done at any time to trees that are in danger of damage, regular pruning should take place at certain times of the year for specific trees. Following are a few guidelines you should keep in mind when pruning trees in your property.

Timing for Major Pruning

If you are planning some major pruning, perhaps to improve the growth of branches, induce flowering or for some other valid reasons, it is best to do so before spring arrives. As you may know, spring is the time when flowers start to bloom and new growth occurs. During spring, it is best not to disrupt the growth with pruning activities.  

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees are trees that normally shed leaves during autumn, as opposed to evergreen trees, which have leaves all year round. If you have deciduous trees in your property, it is highly recommended that you prune these trees at the end of autumn or at the start of winter. That way, the trees do not experience stress.

During late autumn or early winter, deciduous trees are inactive. At this time, the trees are preparing for the hard winter ahead. By the time spring arrives, the pruning should encourage new buds to develop.

Problem Branches

There are instances when pruning is needed at any time during the year. If the tree is suffering from a disease, or if there are dead branches, it would be better to cut them before they become worse. Pruning may be the only option for the tree to survive.

Pruning may also be carried out to remove branches from electric lines and utility cables. There may also be too much canopy leading to windows of the house. It would be good to prune the trees to prevent entry of pests into the home.

Pruning can be quite stressful to trees, so timing is very important. It is an essential part of maintaining the health of the trees.