As you might already know,
pruning your tree is essential to its growth. Pruning not only helps remove
dead, diseased or insect-infested branches, it also improves the structure of
your trees and the fruits it yields and reduces the risk of those overgrown
branches from falling off and hitting a random passer by.
For the most part, you can
do light pruning and removal of dead branches at any point during the year.
However, depending on individual tree species, there are more ideal times of
the year to prune trees. In this post, we will share with you when those times
are.
Winter
Winter is absolutely one of
the best times to prune trees. For one thing, the tree’s structure is more
visible with the absence of leaves. When trees are pruned during winter, new
growth doesn’t happen until spring when the tree has better access to
moisture, sunlight and the nutrients it needs to grow healthy. Another reason
for this is that tree diseases, fungus, and insects are usually dormant or at
least slowed down during the cold months, so the tree is less likely to be
attacked while still recovering from the pruning that has been
done.
Pruning in winter also helps
arborists do their job effectively. For us here at Absolute Tree Care
Arborists in Abbotsford, Vancouver, the frozen ground during winter helps us
to bring our heavy equipment without damaging your landscape. This is
especially helpful for large tree pruning jobs.
Summer
Another good time to prune
trees is during the summer. With how quickly trees and shrubs grow during
spring, tree owners would usually have to deal with overgrown branches by
summer if they failed to prune during winter. Pruning during this season will
also help you to direct the growth of your tree; preventing some branches from
growing too much. This also helps to get the much-needed sunlight to growing
fruit.
An important guideline for
pruning in summer is not to prune too many leaves. Leaves are in charge of
producing food for the trees and without them, your tree will lack the nourishment
it needs to grow. It’s also important to note that some trees, like oaks and
American elm trees, should not be pruned during summer. The pruning “wounds”
in such species can attract insect pests that carry oak wilt, or Dutch elm
disease.
When you want to enhance the flowering of your trees
Another good time to prune
trees is when you want to encourage or trigger more flowering growth in your
fruit trees. Trees that bloom in spring should be pruned when their flowers
fade. For those that bloom in mid to late summer, it’s recommended to prune in
winter or early spring.
Are you looking for
professional tree care services in Burnaby,
BC? Give us a call today at Absolute
Tree Care Arborists and get a quote for a wide array of services, from
tree removals to crown thinning and shrub pruning. We have capable
professionals who can handle your tree-related work for you.
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