Can I Prune My Trees Yet?

If you look at our local weather forecasts, it seems as though the temperatures are slowly rising. This has many of us anticipating and early spring. With milder weather, you may be eager to get a jump-start on all your spring landscaping preparations, such as trimming, transplanting, and even planting. But before you do, it is wise to ask yourself whether or not it’s still too early in the year to prune, especially when it comes to your landscaping trees.

Continue reading to learn the recommended best practices for tree trimming and seasonal tree care.

Benefits of Tree Pruning

Tree pruning is a common tree maintenance practice that is used to stimulate new, strong growth, and to eliminate overgrown limbs. Pruning provides a wide range of benefits, for both trees and people. Not only does it reduce hazardous obstructions and allow for easier entry onto a premises, pruning also promotes vigor and growth, making trees stronger and healthier for many years. It also makes trees look better! 

Routine tree trimming and pruning are important for these reasons, but it is equally important to be sure it is does properly. Improper pruning can cause irreversible damage to a tree, and even lead to total decline. In the professional tree care industry, tree service contractors adhere to strict tree pruning standards to ensure tree protection and growth.

Crown and Canopy Thinning

Compared to tree pruning, crown thinning is a practice used to selectively remove limbs and branches from only the canopy of hardwood trees for the purpose of increasing light penetration and air movement throughout the canopy. This increases the density of the foliage, and renders a fuller, prettier tree. Crown thinning is a delicate and dangerous service that should only be implemented by a trained professional. Aside from danger, improper crown thinning can kill a tree.

When to Prune Trees

The best time of year to prune trees is when they are still dormant. Although you can remove weak, diseased, or dead limbs any time during the year with little to no effect on a tree, full-on pruning should only be carried out before spring growth begins. This means that right now is the perfect time to have your trees pruned! Trees should be pruned once a year by a licensed and insured tree care company that provides tree pruning services. Be sure to ask whether or not they adhere to standards before doing business.