A Guide to Spring Tree Pruning

Fresh green growth in your garden during spring can be a thing to admire but can call attention to other things too.
You may find that some shrubs or trees may need to be cut.

It is always recommended that trees are cut when they have no leaves in winter. Though this is the rule of thumb, there can be certain exceptions.

Here is some advice about pruning trees in the spring.

Pruning is best when trees are dormant, and if you prune a tree before it starts growing this will count as dormant pruning.

Trees will start blooming or budding in the spring season, and you need to be doubly sure, that pruning at this time will not harm your tree in any way.

• Pruning After Springtime Brings Buds and Leaves to Your Trees

Generally, springtime pruning can limit the potential of the tree to bloom during that year.  In addition, springtime trimming can cause your tree to have cuts and that can make them vulnerable to disease and insect infestation.

But if you are doing your pruning in spring, do so while ensuring that you limit the removal to 10% of the tree’s branches.

• Pruning during the spring must have two goals in mind.

Prune for Safety: Dead, dying or decaying branches can cause accidents or damage to your home, and must be removed.
Prune for Aesthetics: This pruning can help your tree to be better shaped.

Some Trees are Better Pruned in Spring

Planting a new tree will require you to cut off any branches that are damaged, defective or broken, and younger trees can have an improved structure if you learn how to prune them correctly.

Birch, walnut, and maple trees are best pruned in late spring or just before the advent of summer. The reason for this is that they start oozing sap if they are pruned in winter.

The sap is harmless, but it does disturb some people who consider it messy. Sap bleeding is reduced if the trimming is done after they have got all their leaves for that season.

Trees That Can Be Pruned Once They Are Finished With Their Spring Bloom:

Apricot
Chokecherry
Crabapple
Dogwood
Flowering Cherry
Flowering Plum
Juneberry
Lilac
Magnolia

List of Trees That You Must Never Prune in Spring

As we have said, pruning trees in spring leave them vulnerable to disease and insect infestation.

So avoid pruning them in spring, summer or during early fall.

Oak: If your area is prone to oak wilt, oak trees should not be pruned in spring.
Elm: Avoiding spring tree pruning of elm trees reduces the chances of their getting the Dutch elm disease.
Sycamore: Reduces the chances of their getting anthracnose
Honeylust: Reducing the chances of stem cankers

DO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? DO YOU NEED HELP TO PRUNE YOUR TREES? CALL ON US FOR HELP.