Many homeowners find fall a great time to prune trees, and if we’re talking dead and dying branches that could pose a hazard in the winter, it is. For more extensive pruning, however, tree professionals suggest waiting until winter or early spring.
As summer winds down into fall, trees prepare for winter dormancy by pulling nutrients from their leaves. Cutting, pruning, and shaping during this critical time can potentially remove multiple healthy branches and cause unnecessary stress on a tree, ultimately leading to less healthy growth in the spring. This doesn’t mean you should never prune in the fall—dead and dying branches aren’t helping the tree and some shaping can be good. But professionals generally advise not removing a healthy branch unless absolutely necessary.
Your tree specialist also understands how to prune carefully for the type of tree and where it is in its growth, so extensive pruning is always best left to a professional.
How to approach pruning
Dead or dying branches should always be removed as soon as possible both for safety reasons and for the benefit of the tree, especially if a branch is diseased. If you believe your tree needs more extensive pruning or shaping, contact a specialist to assess your tree first and learn more about it.
As a rule, deciduous trees – trees that lose their leaves in the fall – are best pruned in the winter when it is easier to see their shape and when wounds will heal most quickly and completely. Flowering trees can be pruned after they bloom, but care should be taken to understand your specific tree’s needs regarding trimming.
Shaping trees, especially young trees, can benefit their growth and improve their appearance, but consulting a professional is wise. While regular pruning and shaping of younger trees can keep them healthy throughout their life, pruning should never remove more than 30 percent of live tissue from any tree.
Topping a tree – removing the uppermost canopy – is never advised for any reason, as it will dramatically impact the tree’s health and growth.
If you have questions about trimming or pruning your trees, contact the experts at GP Tree Service. We are available for all your professional pruning needs.
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