Wednesday, June 13, 2012

When Is a good Idea To Prune

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Many people are unsure of when the right time to prune is. Pruning is the cutting or removing branches or parts of trees or for improving the shape or growth of trees. This is the number one most common tree maintenance procedure.  

Pruning during the winter months or dormancy is the most common practice. It results in a vigorous burst of new growth in the spring and should be used if that is the effect you’re looking for. For best results, it’s better to wait until the coldest part of the winter has passed.

You also have the option of summer pruning. To direct the growth by slowing the branches you don’t want to slow down or “dwarf” the development of a tree branch. Pruning should be done soon after seasonal growth is complete. Summer is also a good time for pruning for corrective purposes. Defective limbs can be seen more easily, or limbs that hang down too far under the weight of the leaves.

If you’re pruning flowering trees to enhance flowering, here are two steps you should be sure to follow:
  1. For trees that bloom in spring, prune when their flowers fade.
  2. Trees and shrubs that flower in mid- to late summer should be pruned in winter or early spring.
The only time of year you should avoid pruning altogether is in the fall! At this time, decay fungi spread their spores profusely in the fall and healing of wounds seems to be slower in the fall. 

When do you prune? Let us know your procedure on our Facebook page linked HERE

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