Deciduous trees can be pruned either in the winter while they are dormant or during the growing season late spring through early fall. Timing for pruning depends on the goal or pruning trees, and what type of tree you’re trimming. Dormant pruning affects trees differently than pruning during the growing season, and is often the best choice when deciding what time of year to prune.
Types of Trees
Dormant pruning stimulates new growth in the spring. This is because dormant trees store nutrients in the trunk and roots, so when the trees start to wake up in the spring they have plenty of resources to produce new growth. For many types of trees, this is a good thing since it results in strong top-growth for fullness and height.
For fruit trees, however, dormant pruning this can result in excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowers and fruits. When pruning fruit trees, use the dormant season to remove damaged, dead, or diseased limbs. Pruning to remove vegetative growth on fruit trees is best done in the early summer, though you should be careful not to remove too many of the nutrient-producing leaves all at once.
Dormant Advantages
It is often easiest to prune when trees are dormant, since deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall and branches are clearly visible during the winter. Pruning trees while they are dormant lets you take a step back and see the overall shape of a tree without leaves getting in the way. This makes it easier to shape a tree and remove any crossing limbs or other problems that could eventually damage the tree.
When performing dormant pruning on fruit trees to remove damaged branches, prune in late winter or very early spring before the leaves start to develop. For non-fruiting trees, dormant pruning is generally done November through March. Pruning later in the winter can help prevent cold damage to the cutting wounds.
Trimming Tools
Richardson Saw & Lawnmower carries several arborist brands, including Samson rope and Buckingham climbing equipment and safety gear. These are a great fit for professional arborists, but can also be helpful to serious homeowners who know how to safely tackle more challenging tree trimming tasks.
Corona cutting tools are a great choice for both homeowners and professionals who want reliable tree pruning equipment. From small hand cutters for trimming thin branches and suckers, to pruning saws and loppers for removing thicker branches, there’s a Corona tool to match your needs tree pruning needs. For larger limbs, Richardson Saw & Lawnmower also carries chainsaws and pole pruners.
