When is the right time to trim your trees? The answer isn’t always straightforward. When thinking about pruning, arborists need to consider factors like the type of tree and insects, diseases, and landscaping. To try and answer this question once and for all, we’ve compiled a helpful guide.
The Best Trimming Time: Winter Months
Winter is the most popular time to trim trees because most tree diseases are dormant, and freezing temperatures and little rainfall create a suitable environment for growing new and healthy bark.
Trees that have been pruned during the winter will generally start to bear fruit and leaves sooner. Pruning in late winter means that the wounds on fall-pruned plants won’t be visible for long once spring arrives, resulting in faster healing.
Pruning dormant plants save time since fewer leaves are tangled in the pruners. One more advantage: pruning in the late winter reduces the chance of a plant getting diseases.
When Pruning After Blooming
Trees and shrubs that bloom early in the growing season on last year’s growth should be pruned right after they finish blooming. This type of pruning is not recommended for plants with persistent leaves, like wisteria or rhododendrons.
If you prune them too soon, they will bloom early in the spring. Pruning them too late makes it difficult to remove dead growth before it begins to re-bloom.
When Pruning Before New Growth
Shrubs grown primarily for their showy flowers rather than their foliage should be pruned in the spring before growth begins. This type of pruning is also appropriate for plants like azaleas and camellias that bloom fairly early in the spring.
If you prune them too late, their branches will be fully laden with flower buds, and the plants will be too heavy to prune properly.
The Benefits of Pruning Your Trees
Proper tree maintenance helps your trees live longer, healthier lives and saves you money in the long run. By pruning your trees properly, you will be doing them a favor. Here are some of the best benefits of tree pruning:
- Trimming away dead and diseased branches can help prevent fungal infections that rot the wood or spread disease.
- Pruning keeps trees and shrubs from getting too large and taking up too much space in your yard.
- Pruning will also help your tree reach its full potential if you want more fruit or colorful flowers.
- Pruning will help keep your tree in the healthiest shape possible. This will help it survive winter, high, and heavy snow loads.
- Pruning will help your tree look better. It will also prevent branches from rubbing against each other or anything else in your yard. And it will keep your tree’s woody limbs from growing too wide.
Conclusion
The best time to trim trees depends on whether you want to prune before or after the tree blooms. Pruning before blooming will increase your chances of getting more blooms, but it will also make your tree look like it has lost some of its flowers. Pruning after blooming often results in a less-than-perfect shape, but most flowers will remain intact.
When it comes to fruits and flowers, winter is the best time to trim. If you can’t prune, try your best to prune before the tree blooms.
Porterfield Stump and Tree is a fully licensed and insured team of professionals that provide high-quality and safe tree removal, trimming, stump removal, health checkups, evaluation, and a variety of other services for both commercial and residential applications. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to get the job done right. If you need tree trimming services in Madison, Oconee, or Clark counties, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with our team today at 706-714-8733!
