When is the best time of year to prune?

In preparation for spring and summer, and while most deciduous trees are dormant, you may be thinking about pruning your trees to keep new growth under control and your garden or grounds looking attractive. Not only that but often pruning can be necessary to keep your trees healthy by removing defective or dangerous branches. Another reason for pruning your trees could be to reduce the shading in your grounds or to keep the tree clear of a structure or building.

There are numerous reasons why pruning your trees is a good idea or even necessary.

Let’s start by keeping things simple and with a little caveat to pruning.

It is always best to keep the pruning of your trees yourself to a minimum and prune them as little as possible, unless there is a defect that has become hazardous and requires attention. Removing large amounts of the foliage or wood unprofessionally can damage the tree and reduce its ability to photosynthesise, which will negatively affect the long-term health of the tree.

Some trees are protected by law and any work undertaken on them could be illegal and result in prosecution. It is also your responsibility to look after any protected wildlife within the tree to ensure no harm comes to them.

Now, with that out the way, let’s discuss pruning your trees.

When is the best time of year to prune your trees? And should different types of trees be pruned at different times?

As with many garden plants, it is best to prune certain trees when they have finished their most active growth stage, so late spring through to summer.

This rule of thumb applies to most deciduous trees, such as Oak and Beech, as if you wait until mid-late winter or spring, they will bleed sap from any wounds created. This bleeding can continue until mid-spring when the buds have burst, and leaf growth has fully expanded. The sap that seeps from any wounds can damage the bark, which can remain unnoticeable until the bark falls off the tree, leaving a large patch of exposed wood.

There are exceptions to this rule for deciduous trees, however. Birch, walnut, horse chestnut, cherry and maple trees all bleed extensively and will lose valuable nutrients carried by the sap. It is best to leave these until later in the year, after any new growth has had a chance to mature. The best time to prune these trees is during mid-summer or winter.

But what about evergreen trees?

Evergreen trees such as pine, juniper or fir trees, do not lose their leaves during autumn or winter. If you prune evergreens at the same time as most deciduous trees, during late summer or autumn, you can risk them dying out in the cold weather. It is best to prune evergreen trees in the spring, just before they begin their most active growth period and after the risk of frost damage during the colder months. By pruning at this time of the year new shoots will not be damaged by the frost and any scars left from the pruning will be quickly covered by new growth.

If your evergreen is still flowering during spring, then it is best to leave pruning until after it has finished.

Considering the vast array of tree species out there and the differences in pruning times within similar groups of tree types, such as deciduous, it can get confusing when trying to take proper care of your trees. If you are unsure on any aspect of pruning, feel free to reach out to the Chris Arnold Tree Surgery team – we will happily advise and assist with any pruning related queries you may have.

It is important to note that, for your own safety and the long-term health of your tree, any work that requires the use of a chainsaw, any substantial pruning or pruning that is inaccessible, high, or requires a ladder, should be carried out by a registered and qualified expert.

If you require any of the above works or have any questions about pruning your trees, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Chris Arnold Tree Surgery on 01242 621051.

One of our friendly team would be happy to discuss your needs.

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