We’re currently in a time of year when it’s not normally considered the best time to have trees pruned. It’s a process of selectively removing parts of the tree, usually branches, to improve its health, structure, or appearance. Given that this time of the year warrants you not to do, we feel it’s best to get out in front of the summer season and tell you why there’s a better time for a tree prune. In this blog, we will break down the best and worst times of the year to prune trees and explain why it matters to their overall health.
What Goes Into Tree Pruning and Why It Matters
As we say on our website in the tree pruning page, “Tree pruning helps to promote the absorption of CO2 gases and healthy circulation of oxygen. Tree pruning also helps to promote new growth and plays a big role in the safety of trees in the area.” This process is very important, and that’s the biggest reason why it matters when you do the pruning.
The process of pruning trees can also come from not just promoting the absorption of CO2 gases and so on, but it can also come from the intention to make sure the trees aren’t being attacked by diseases and fungi. If your tree is suffering from either of these, then it would be best to get out in front of it and prune the parts that show signs of a disease so that they don’t spread.
Why Summer and Fall Are The Worst Times
We expect that there’s a good chance that people think that summertime is the best time to prune trees, but it’s one of the worst. The biggest reason for this is not normally because of the weather or temperature, but because of the trees themselves. In the winter and spring times, based on the branches themselves, they’ll have no leaves on them and it makes it easier to asses what needs treatment and what doesn’t. As warmer weather approaches in springtime, it also makes it better.
Pruning trees in fall and summer can be a potential hazard for causing disease, as we just mentioned above. Structurally, for the tree itself, it’s a risk cause nutrients can be cut off if not properly handled. Summer is the least of the two seasons to worry about with regards to that, but even then, Summer is still not highly recommended for this process.
Why Winter is the Best Season for Pruning
Most trees out there might benefit a little more if they were pruned in mid to late winter. It’s the best time of the year because you can identify branches and limbs that require removal more easily. Temperature-wise, it works best as you come out of winter and the warmer weather starts to come in and allowing for better growth. The Fall season doesn’t hurt for this either, especially since that’s the time when leaves start falling.
Pruning New Trees vs. Pruning Old Trees
There can be a big distinction between what you’re meant to do as far as the age of a tree and how you prune it. Newer and younger planted trees are ones that we recommend you wait around a year before you start pruning. It may not be noticeable at first, but trees take a very long time to age and grow. Waiting about a year before its first prune might be more beneficial for it. If you wanted to prune at all in its first year, remove any branches you know are damaged, and then keep the lowest hanging ones on the trunk.
Repeating this process for much older trees in age can be a little simpler and easier, as long as they’re identified correctly. These trees can show their flaws a lot more with a proper inspection, and pruning them can be easier too, because, unlike younger, newer trees, you don’t have to be as careful. Trees that are super old got to that point probably because their systems are healthy and working well, and the process of pruning would just remove the annoying bumps that no one wants on a tree anyway.
Next Steps and Reaching Out to Bradley Tree
“Pruning allows for each tree, and the surrounding plants below, to attain optimal sunlight to promote healthy growth.” That’s one of our other big messages on the pruning page of our website that we want you to know about. This process can be very beneficial for everyone if done properly. Feel free to contact us with any questions and ask for a professional arborist. Of course, if you see signs of damage or something that doesn’t look right, have us come take a look to see if anything needs to be done urgently. These people know the ins and outs of the trees to help with your concerns. Don’t prune yourself or let us do it until inspections are made. We can’t wait to help!