Pruning is a way to help trees to be more efficient and grow better. Pruning is essential just as much as fertilizing, watering, etc. But when is the best time to prune your trees?
In this article:
What is Pruning?
Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Pruning is done to remove dead branches, reduce risk and improve form. Pruning is important to keep the trees healthy when it is done as corrective or preventive but thinning isn’t necessarily beneficial to health.
Why Pruning is Essential?
Pruning is essential for all trees and if it isn’t done properly fruitfulness of the trees will decrease over time. When pruning isn’t done well, trees will grow irregularly, branches will break and fruits will get smaller and fewer.
When to Prune Trees?
Trees cannot be pruned at any time of the year. Trees enter a dormant stage during fall and winter, they become inactive.
Early spring, right before the plants wake up is the best season to prune trees because if trees are pruned after they start growing again it will affect their growth negatively.
Leafless trees are easier to prune because it is easier to see the unhealthy branches. Access is often easier and potentially less damaging for the delicate plants.
Early spring pruning causes less stress for trees and improves growth. Removing weak and damaged branches makes the trees stronger.
Fresh cuts during the dormant season are less likely to attract disease-carrying insects and spread bacteria and fungi. Pruning is beneficial to grass and plants because it opens sunlight through the canopy.
How to Prune Trees?
No matter how you prune the trees the upper branches should be preserved and pruning should be done to the lower branches.
Pruning the fruit trees is a different process then flower shrubs. Fruits have an economical value and with wrong pruning there can be negative effects.
Depending on the tree type, the period right after shedding leaves is the best time to prune trees. Also, the crown part of the tree should be pruned to help the tree to get more benefits from the sun.
- Reduction is performed to reduce the size of the tree. The best way to reduce the height or the spread is to prune back the leaders and branch terminals.
- Thinning is the selective removal of branches to improve the structure and allow more sunlight penetration through the crown. When properly done, thinning helps the tree retain its natural shape and provides healthy growth
- Raising is removing the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance for human life (cars, buildings, etc)
- Cleaning is the removal of broken, dead, sick and weak branches from the crown.
It’s important to know the climate, soil and the state of the tree before pruning so you might want to consult a specialist in your area.
We hope that all the information provided in this article will help you to prune your trees better. Make sure to remember all the pruning tips this spring!
Tell us how and when you prune your trees? What are some tips that you’d like to share with us? Share your experience in the comments section!