If you’re like most property owners, you’ve probably spent some time wondering when to trim tree branches for the best results.
Here, Oregon Arborist, LLC’s experts in tree pruning in Lafayette, OR, discuss the best time to prune dead or dying branches for thriving trees.
When’s the Best Time to Trim Your Trees?
The timeline for trimming a tree will usually depend on the type of tree and your overall goals.
For example, if you want to control plant size, stick to early spring or winter pruning because:
- It’s easy to see the tree’s structure when there are little to no leaves
- There are fewer pathogens and pests around to infect the pruning cuts
- In dormancy, the tree produces less sap that would otherwise leak out when you trim the branches
Exceptions to the Rule For Trimming Trees
Of course, you may need to change when to trim tree branches based on the species, condition, or age of the tree.
Damaged, Diseased, or Pest-Infested Branches
Tree care professionals advise cutting damaged, dead, or diseased branches as needed. This isn’t a full pruning but rather a surgical cut.
You’ll need to remove the following:
- Deadwood
- Broken branches
- Diseased or pest-infested limbs
- Partially-severed branches
- Limbs that might cause safety issues
The arborist will also clean up ragged edges so that the tree heals faster.
Young Trees
Avoid pruning saplings for the first year or before they establish a robust root system. Trim them gently for the first two or three years after this, but always leave the lower branches in place to protect the trunk.
Aside from that, only trim the following:
- Dead, diseased, or broken branches
- Crossing branches
- Double leaders
Flowering Trees
Generally, arborists will only prune a flowering tree after it finishes blooming. For example, if they bloom in summer or fall, prune them in early spring or late winter while the tree or shrub is dormant.
Trim trees like flowering cherries and dogwoods immediately after they finish blooming. Prune trees like the American Holly and crape myrtles only when they’re dormant.
Fruit Trees
It’s best to prune fruit trees at the end of winter or early in the spring, but you can trim them at the end of July through August in a pinch (it might increase the yield). While you’re cutting back some buds that could bear fruit, you’re allowing in more light and air.
Pruning also ensures the tree can focus its resources on the existing fruit, which allows proper ripening and bigger pieces of fruit.
Consult the Tree Professionals
The type of tree dictates which pruning techniques to use. Speak to certified arborists—it can save you a great deal of time and aggravation if you’re trying to help your trees thrive. It’s also a wise investment that can save you from balancing on a ladder with a chainsaw or inflicting incorrect cutting techniques.
Contact Our Tree Care Professionals For Trimming and More
You know when to trim tree branches, but do you have the time and know-how? Why not call Oregon Arborist, LLC, at 503-899-4166 for the expertise and professional tree-trimming equipment you need?