Pruning Trees: When Is The Right Time?

There’s nothing quite like a beautifully landscaped backyard or front lawn that just invites passers-by to gaze upon such living artwork. There is much to know when it comes to maintaining your own green lawn, trees, shrubs and decorative bushes, which is why many people prefer to let the professionals handle their landscaping. This is a great choice as it ensures a lovely job each and every time. If you are new to the process of maintaining trees, here is some helpful information that will keep your property looking its best all year-round.

Pruning 101

​The single most important thing to keep in mind is that light pruning, including removal of deadwood, can be done at any time. For the most part, though, pruning actually depends on why you have decided to prune your trees, as well as special pruning requirements that may apply to different species of plants and trees you have in your backyard or property. Here are the most important guidelines for the ideal pruning times:

Summer Pruning

​It is best to prune soon after the seasonal growth if your goal is to redirect a specific branch or slow the growth of select branches. The reason behind the slowing is the fact that pruning reduces the amount of leaves on the branch, which in turn reduces the amount of food that is made and sent to the roots. You can also do summer pruning for corrective purposes, as you can easily spot limbs that are too heavy from the weight of leaves, as well as defective limbs.

Winter Pruning

The most common time to prune trees is while they are dormant. The reason for this is that such practice leads to a burst of new growth in the spring as soon as leaves begin to emerge. A particular thing to keep in mind when it comes to winter pruning is to always remember to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed. Also, don’t be surprised to see sap leaking from the pruning wounds as this is quite normal for some species of trees such as Birch and Walnut trees. The leaks will end when leaves start growing.

Pruning Aimed at Enhancing Flowering

A common reason why people choose to prune their trees at a specific time of year is because such a practice results in an enhanced flowering of the trees. This is always beautiful to see, so if you’re considering engaging in pruning in order to make this happen, remember to prune the trees in the spring when their flowers fall off. Conversely, trees that usually flower in mid to late summer should always be pruned either in winter or in early spring.

Need Professional Help With Pruning? Turn To Martin’s Tree

The DIY approach is an option when it comes to landscaping and maintaining your trees, shrubs and plants. While it is cost-effective, it can also turn out to be quite labour-intensive and always carries the risk of damaging the tree or green surface. If proper pruning is what you’re concerned about, get in touch with Martin’s Tree Service. Martin’s Tree has been in the business of trees since 2009 and is home to a highly-trained and experienced team of top-level arborists who treat every tree as if it were the last one on Earth. Reach out to Martin’s Tree Service if you’d like your trees pruned professionally and in a way that ensures they stay healthy and beautiful at the same time.