When is the Best Time to Prune Trees: Spring or Autumn?

Tree pruning or tree trimming is best done when temperatures cool in the fall and before buds start to grow in the spring. Removal of dead, broken or damaged limbs can be done at any time. Many people believe that pruning trees in autumn is the perfect time of year, especially when there are four seasons present. However, this assumption could damage your precious trees or even kill them, even mature trees.

The goal is not to change the size or shape of the tree, but to thin out the crown so that it looks completely unpruned. At any time between late autumn and early spring, it is better to prune or prune trees. In general, after the leaves fall and before the flowers appear, it is the ideal window. Pruning, like any other skill, requires knowing what is being done to achieve success.

The old idea that anyone with a chainsaw or pruning saw can be a garden trimmer is far from true. Every year more trees die or are ruined by improper pruning than by pests. Remember that pruning is the removal or reduction of certain parts of the plant that are not necessary, that are no longer effective or that are not useful for the plant. It is made to supply additional energy for the development of flowers, fruits and branches that remain on the plant. Pruning, which has several definitions, essentially involves removing parts of the plant to improve the health, landscape effect or value of the plant.

Once the objectives are determined and some basic principles are understood, pruning is primarily a matter of common sense. Trees that receive the right amount of pruning when young will need less excessive pruning as they grow. Taking advantage of these months of inactivity gives you time to develop a plan for pruning and trimming trees in your landscaping. Injuries to trees that expose wood or kill bark can allow insects or pathogenic organisms to enter the tree. However, if you are trimming the trees yourself, look for moving services offered by your city.

By pruning and pruning trees in specific ways, you can encourage fruiting and flowering, shape plants into specific shapes, and control plant size. Tree branches are pruned for multiple reasons, all of which result in a better-looking, better-yielding tree. A common mistake when pruning young trees is to remove small branches from them, leaving only a tuft of leaves on the top of the tree. Usually, the pruning cycle of a tree is 3-5 years, but the species, size and health will determine the optimal cycle for your tree. If you are hesitant to remove certain branches, if those branches exceed 4 inches in diameter, or if your tree is crowding other trees or obstructing space or needs extra care and attention, hiring a certified arborist may be your next best step. Although trees grow naturally without pruning them, this routine landscape maintenance allows your trees to reach their full potential and live a long lifespan.

The central leader of a tree should not be pruned unless the leader is not wanted, as is the case with some naturally low-branched trees or where multi-stemmed plants are desired. Trees heal faster when they are pruned during their dormant period in winter months before spring comes around again. Professional arborists are well versed in their trees and their needs, and are trained to handle a variety of tree-related problems. Save tree care pruning when the tree is actively growing in early spring or completely dormant in winter months. If you can't identify your trees or don't know their special characteristics and value their good health, it's best to research or leave the pruning work to tree experts.

Regular pruning throughout the life of a tree reduces the amount of work needed and stress on the tree.

Leave Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *