When is the best time to prune trees?
The old arborist saying goes, “the best time to prune is when the pruners are sharp,” meaning that trees can be pruned at any time. This is still true for most trees, although there are some points to consider and some limited exceptions to the rule. Pruning trees does not have to be limited to fall or winter. Granted, fall and winter are good times to prune as the tree is dormant. Points to consider when deciding when to prune: Spring-flowering trees can be pruned as soon as the leaves turn dark green and harden to avoid cutting off any of the following year’s flower buds. Summer-flowering trees can be pruned before new growth begins in early spring to avoid cutting off any of the current year’s flower buds. Palms are often pruned in the spring so that flower stalks can be removed before they produce messy fruit. Birches, dogwoods, elms, hackberries, magnolias, maples, poplars, walnuts, willows, and a few other trees are known as “bleeders”.
A. Most professionals recommend tree pruning in the dormant season (during the winter time when the trees are not growing). Most professionals also advise that if you are not severely pruning a tree, it can be pruned any time of year. Certified arborists recommend that it is more important to make the proper cuts and follow sound arboricultural practices than to limit pruning to just a certain time of year.
