Many people believe that the best time to prune and trim trees is when the bright leaves are falling. This assumption could cause damage to your trees. According to arborists, the best time for pruning trees is usually in winter when the trees are dormant. It is not always as simple as that, however, and we will show you why. It is also considered that you always have the best tree-trimming tools to get quality work. 

 

When to prune trees

The winter months (November through March) are the dormant months for most plants and trees. These are the best months to prune most trees, with a few exceptions. These are the reasons:

 

• Pruning during the dormant seasons is easier because there are fewer leaves.
• The proper wound closure occurs in the winter, just before the spring growth spurt. Because it prevents decay from spreading, wound closure is essential for tree pruning success.
• It is less likely that pathogens and pests will enter trees.

 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started with pruning.

 

Deciduous Trees

These trees shed their leaves every year. Pruning deciduous trees in winter and late fall is a good idea.

 

• The trees have entered their dormant period.
• It is easy to see the structure of the branches.
• Insects and diseases will be eliminated.
• Does not "bleed" - Some trees "bleed" in spring (the sap is emitted from the trees) if they are pruned in the winter. The tree will not be damaged by bleeding.
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Young Trees

Young trees do not need to be pruned right away after being transplanted. It is better to wait for the tree to grow before pruning.

 

• Take out any broken or damaged branches. This should be the first thing you do in the first year.
• Remove the temporary lower branches. They should not compete with the permanent branches, but be long enough to protect the young trunk. These should be pruned slowly as the tree grows.

You can then begin to shape the tree as it grows. Proper pruning is key to creating a sturdy and well-shaped tree. Ask your local professional when you should trim a young tree. It may depend on the tree's type and where it is located.

 

New Trees

Newly planted trees, regardless of their age, are an exception. Although it may be tempting to grab the pruning shears immediately for your newly-planted tree, it is better to wait one year as it is easier to prune young trees. Pruning before the roots have had time to grow and become stronger can affect the tree's ability for food production. Pruning can also slow down overall growth. Before you do any cutting, inspect the tree. Newly planted trees usually only need corrective pruning. Corrective pruning is the removal of:

 

• Two leaders (two rival lead branches)
• Dead branches
• Crossing branches
• Broken branches

 

As with young trees, it is important to maintain the lower branches to provide nutrition and protection for the tree during its first few years. Test your soil to determine if fertilizer is necessary. You can determine if your tree requires fertilizers by checking its soil nutrition and pH. These lower limbs can be removed gradually over the next five to ten years as the tree becomes stronger. 

 

Subtropical Trees

Subtropical trees can be trimmed all year due to the changing environment. Tree trimming services say that they are constantly replacing their lost tissue and have plenty of sunlight and water twelve months a year.

 

It is against the industry norm to remove more than 30% of live tissue from trees in any given season. If you have a large broken branch with 30 percent of the leaves still on it, then you're done for the season.

Flowering Trees

Pruning flowering trees is best done at the right time, depending on when it blooms. should prune spring-blooming plants immediately after they have bloomed. Prune trees that flower in the summer, fall in late winter, or early Spring before they go dormant.

Routine pruning of dying or dead branches can be done at any time. Your tree may have special trimming requirements. Here are some tips for flowering trees

 

• Flowers on old wood after they have faded.
• Mid-winter to early spring: Prune late-blooming trees that flower in the summer, fall, or winter. 

 

Fruit Trees

Like many other trees, fruit trees should be pruned in the early spring. You can also prune in August or late July. However, severe pruning at this time can cause damage to the tree as it weakens. This is why pruning should be done closer to spring.

Pruning fruit trees creates an open canopy, rather than a dense canopy that blocks sunlight. A fruit tree that has been properly pruned and receives enough sunlight produces larger and healthier fruits. Check out more: Garden and Landscape Ideas