Tree Pruning: When is the Best Time to Prune?

Tree pruning refers to the removal of the dead branches of a tree. Contrary to the common misconception that tree pruning can be done anytime you want, you should know there is a best time to do it. Tree pruning will most likely depend on the kind of tree that you have, and it varies on each different type of tree. Here are the following factors to consider.

1. Pruning in winter

During the period of dormancy, people are most likely to prune. In that way, the tree will have a vigorous burst of new growth when spring comes. It is also one of the most efficient ways to achieve this kind of result. Hence, you should wait until the freezing point of winter will pass. For instance, if you have walnut or birches, it will most likely bleed when the sap starts flowing. But rest assured that it will do no harm to the tree and it will eventually stop when the leaves start growing.

2. Pruning during summer

If you want to direct the growth of the branches, you should consider pruning during the summer. You can slow down the growth of the branch. The best time to achieve this kind of result is right after the annual growth of the trees. In that way, you can minimize the leafing out of the tree, reducing the food that is produced and delivered into the stump. Aside from this reason, pruning during summer is also advisable if you want to correct broken limbs of the tree.

3. Pruning to enhance the flowering of the tree

Flowering trees are pruned differently from other trees. If you want to enhance the flowering of your trees, you should make sure that you prune only after the flowers start fading especially if it blooms during the spring. If the shrub blooms during summer, you should prune it in late winter or early spring.

4. Pruning in fall

Pruning in fall is not advisable. Decay fungi are scattered around the place during fall. Healing the wounds of the tree will be so much slower during this period. Hence, you should make sure that you do not touch any of your pruning tools during autumn. It will also risk your tree into various tree diseases and infection brought by the fungi lingering in the air. It’s best not to touch your tree and wait for the fall season to pass by before you start in pruning.

Knowing the basics of tree pruning is essential, especially if it’s your first time doing so. Create a list of ideal times of pruning your tree to improve its branches, flowering, or only keeping your tree healthy. Just like a human body, trees also need proper maintenance to survive. For best results of your tree pruning, follow the tips above and enjoy the satisfying results and advantages of a healthy and robust tree all through the different seasons.

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