If your looking for some tree care, you may have been met with the question of "when is the best time to prune a tree". The answer depends on what you are looking to achieve from your tree care. Are you looking to keep your tree healthy and aesthetic, or are you looking to increase the yield of a fruit trees harvest for the following summer? Below are some top tree tips from tree surgeons who have been in the business for decades!
What is tree pruning?
The process of pruning a tree involves removing dead, diseased, or overgrown branches from a tree, with the aim of increasing the trees health and aesthetics, as well as improving fruit tree yields.
As Summer ends, the thought of gardening work often leaves the mind of many, getting pushed back to the start of spring when the days get longer and warmer. However at this point, many arborists and tree surgeons are have already filled their diaries for weeks or even months ahead, causing your much needed garden maintenance and fruit tree pruning to be done much later than it should.
Fruit Tree Pruning
Pruning fruit trees can provide various benefits, such as:
Promoting tree health
Larger fruit yields
Less pests and diseases
Improved aesthetics
Fewer broken and damaged branches
Pruning fruit trees allows sunlight to reach all branches, not just the top and sides, and increases airflow, resulting in a healthier tree. This can also promote further growth and flowering during the next growing season, causing an increase in fruit yield.
The best time to perform a heavy prune of a fruit tree is definitely winter, whilst the tree is dormant. This causes the least amount of stress to the tree, and sets it up for a healthy, undisturbed growing season come the spring. To ensure your tree is receiving the best care or if the tree is too large to handle, it is always best to seek the help of a professional. Get in touch with one of our local tree surgeons today to enquire about your winter tree care.
Winter tree pruning
Contrary to what some people may think, winter actually provides the best time to prepare your garden and fruit trees for the following spring and summer. As the months get colder, from October until February, trees are in their dormant state, giving many benefits to those looking to have their trees pruned. These benefits include:
Pruning a tree while in dormancy gives the tree a better foundation for next it's next growing season in spring. This can allow fruit tree's to yield larger harvests, as winter pruning can encourage flowering, and thus more fruiting in the next season.
Winter tree pruning reduces the risk of disease, as pruning in warmer temperatures can cause diseases like oak wilt. In winter disease harbouring insects are also less prevalent. Spotting diseases on a tree is also easier when there are few leaves on it and the tree bare, allowing for early and easy diagnosis.
Dormant tree pruning can save time and money. As the tree's in the winter months have few to no leaves on, a tree surgeons job can be made much easier and quicker when providing tree care, as they have direct access and visibility of the different branches. Getting you tree pruned in winter can end up saving you money.
Reduces potential damage to the tree. During the Spring and Summer months when the tree is actively growing, cutting shoots and branches can disrupt the tree, potentially causing damage or disease. Pruning in the trees dormant season reduces the chances of this.
Pruning trees in winter is a great way to make your life easier the following year, as it can keep the costs of summer maintenance lower, increase fruit yields and take you into spring without having to worry about any urgent maintenance that those who neglected their trees in winter will have to worry about.
Spring and Summer Tree Pruning
Although winter is the perfect time for hard cutbacks and many trees to be pruned, they can also be pruned in summer for various reasons. The best tree care for healthy trees is certainly an all year round approach and shouldn't be left to only one season of the year! Some reasons pruning in Spring and Summer may be done can be:
To improve the aesthetics of the garden, for a time that you are spending in it the most
To improve air circulation for trees, helping keep diseases and fungal growth which may harm the tree at bay
To view and remove deadwood of some tree species. Although it is easier to spot deadwood in winter for many tree species, it is actually easier to spot deadwood in the growing season for certain species
If a tree overgrows in the warmer months, it can block other features of the landscape, or even walkways, so a cutback to keep such areas clear will help improve the aesthetic and the safety of a space.
Pruning a deciduous tree
A deciduous tree is a tree which looses it's leaves in Autumn, examples include Oak trees, Maple trees and Willow trees, among many others. A general rule of thumb is to try to not take away any of the trees leaves, as they use them to grow. Instead try to prune deciduous trees during it's dormancy period to minimise disruption and stress to the tree. This will be some time between late Autumn and Early March. Pruning deciduous trees when dormant also allows for an easier and clearer job, as no leaves are in the way of any branches.
Pruning a conifer tree
Pruning a conifer can be done all year round, as conifers do not lose their leaves throughout the year, and instead remain green and with leaves all year round. However where you prune the tree depends on the growing habits of the particular species. Some conifers get new shoots and growth on the tips of their branches, meaning this is where pruning should take place. However other conifers, like juniper trees actually sprout new growth from the base of the tree, meaning that this is the area of the tree that should be pruned.
Summary
In summary, the time to get your tree pruned can vary depending on the species of tree and the desired outcome you wish to get from pruning. It is always a good idea to get a professionals opinion to ensure accuracy and safety standards are met, and reduce the stress exerted on the tree. Give us a call to arrange a free, no-obligation quote so we can assess your trees requirements today!
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