When to Prune Trees

It’s tough to know when to prune trees when there’s so much conflicting advice. The good news is, pruning your trees is simpler to master than most people think. Use Tree Service York PA’s handy guide to know when’s the best time to prune for the health and longevity of your tree.

Prune Anytime for Plant Health
If your tree has dead or diseased limbs, limbs that are crossing over one another, or limbs that are hanging in hazardous positions, prune those suckers off any time, winter, spring, or summer. Keep in mind that while a clean clip here and there won’t do much, a significant amount of pruning will kick your plant into growth mode. So when pruning for health, prune sparingly when possible.

Prune During the Winter to Encourage New Growth
Tree care specialists agree that pruning during a tree’s period of dormancy is the preferred window for several reasons:

• The tree is not producing new growth during the winter.
• All branches are exposed, giving you access to every part of the tree.
• Pruning during dormancy tends to rejuvenate the tree just in time for its new growth period.  

Prune for Spring Cleaning
It’s not a good idea to prune heavily in the spring as this is when many trees are putting on their best blooming show, so save the heavy spring cleaning for your closets. However, a little tidying up in the spring is sometimes in order. Clip the flowers when they’ve wilted to encourage continued blooms all season long.

Pruning Fruit Trees
Fruit trees have their own set of rules for the first few years after planting. Once they become established, prune during dormancy for best results. Avoid summer pruning which will inhibit growth--not good if you’re expecting a plentiful fruit harvest!

Never Prune in the Fall
Just like bears hibernate to make it through the long winter, trees also go dormant during the winter to conserve energy. Pruning a tree encourages new growth and requires the tree to expend a lot of energy, which is why pruning a tree right before it goes into its period of dormancy is a bad idea. Pruning in the fall also increases the risk of disease. Relax with a pumpkin spice latte and leave the pruning for another season.

Don’t Prune Dangerous Limbs
You should never risk your life to prune a limb. If your tree has hard to reach limbs, limbs that are extra large, or limbs that might cause damage on their way down, it’s best to call a professional tree care company to do the job for you. Happy pruning! ​