A very important task that needs to be completed every year is the pruning of trees.
When you cut them back, you need to be very careful in the way that you do it, and when you choose to go through this process.
Whether you are trimming a fruit tree, Evergreen, or deciduous tree, they should be pruned around the same time. It is possible that you can do this yourself, or you may want to contact a professional arborist to do it for you.
There is a specific time of the year that most people will choose to do this. Let’s discuss when this is, and why it should be done at this particular point in time.
What Is The Purpose Of Pruning Trees?
Trees are pruned to maintain their health, removing damaged or diseased growth. They are pruned to increase safety.
Low-hanging branches that snag pedestrians, trees that block sight at the end of a driveway, branches that hang over buildings and branches near electrical lines pose dangers to people. Trees are also pruned for aesthetic reasons, to improve their looks or limit their growth.
As mentioned, the main purpose of pruning trees is to make sure that unnecessary branches are removed. This could be due to their size, reducing density on the tree, and also eliminating diseased branches which could affect the entire tree itself. It is also time for the purpose of improving the overall appearance of the tree. Those that are too thick can also be compromised by not getting enough sunlight.
Trees can literally form their own canopy with the sheer volume of branches that can form. If only the outer layer of the branches are getting sunlight, photosynthesis will be minimalized. This can compromise the health of the tree, and for all of these reasons, they need to be pruned at a certain time of the year.
When Should You Prune Your Trees?
The best time to prune a tree is in late winter, just before the tree breaks dormancy. The cut will heal quickly because trees grow vigorously in early spring. A few trees, like magnolias, flower on wood grown the previous year.
Early pruning could easily remove all the dormant buds, resulting in a non-flowering tree. These trees, and shrubs that bloom on old growth, should be pruned just after they flower. The best time of the year to prune your trees is during the winter season. If you are able to trim your trees during this time, this is the best for their health.
Trees that are dormant during this time will not be compromised if you are trimming them. They will also heal better, and not be affected by bugs, bacteria or any type of disease. This is true for Evergreen and deciduous trees, both of which will benefit greatly if you are able to trim them during this time.
Is There A Proper Way To Trim Trees?
The first thing that is needed before cutting off a branch is to first place a notch. This is going to be very small, one that is situated roughly 2 feet from the trunk of the tree, going only a 1/4 of the way through.
Finish by coming down on the top, cutting all the way through. The purpose of the notch is to eliminate the possibility of stripping the outside bark on the branch which can be difficult for trees to recover from.If this process is done during the winter, it’s going to be very easy for you to keep your trees healthy. It is the best way to ensure that they will continue to grow in a proper manner.
There will be fewer branches, allowing the entire canopy of the tree to receive sunlight. This will increase photosynthesis during spring and summer, and eventually help the tree grow much more proficiently and improve its overall immune system.
Worst Pruning Time
The only really bad time to prune a tree is in spring while the buds are developing. If the buds are beginning to swell, leave the tree alone until the leaves have grown to their mature size. Then it is safe to prune. Trimming a tree while the leaves are expanding disturbs the tree’s growth and causes it a lot of stress.
Emergency Pruning
If a tree is damaged, it can be trimmed any time of the year. Broken or scraped branches are an invitation to disease and insects. Prune the tree as soon as possible after the damage occurs.
If you think your trees are overdue for a prune, contact B&R Tree Services to get the job done safely and effectively, so that your trees flourish year-round, while looking great!