Is spring tree trimming a good idea, or should you wait until the winter months? In this post, Gutierrez and Sons Tree Service, your tree trimming and pruning in Gardena, CA, discusses the best time for pruning shrubs and trees.
What Is the Difference Between Winter and Spring Tree Trimming?
Winter pruning provides the perfect opportunity to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, as they are less active in colder weather. The tree also has a good deal of time to heal before its growth season starts.
Early spring tree trimming can prove useful as the trees still lie partially dormant. It also allows them an entire season to recover from the wounds before the most active season of the year.
What Trees Respond Well to Spring Pruning?
Spring makes the best time to prune fruit trees like apples, peaches, and flowering cherry trees:
- Pruning apples in early spring every second year will boost fruit production. Use the opportunity to remove dead wood and branches that grow inward rather than outward.
- Peach trees require trimming every year in the early stages of spring. You should remove half of the new branches that grew over the last year. You will reduce how much fruit you receive but increase the quality of the fruit.
- You should also prune cherry trees once a year to encourage new branches and maintain health.
You can also trim the following trees in spring:
- Wisteria
- Trumpet Vine
- Forsythia
- Clematis
- Virginia creepers
- Flowering dogwood
- Lilac
What Trees Should Never Be Pruned in Spring?
You should never prune your tree in spring if they are one of the following species:
- Oak trees are susceptible to oak wilt if you trim them in summer. This pathogen becomes less active in winter, making it best to prune oaks in winter. It also makes a better time as bugs feed on the sap that bleeds from the tree after spring pruning.
- Elm trees are susceptible to Dutch elm disease, which becomes more active during warmer weather. Therefore, experts recommend pruning elms in winter.
The professionals also list the following trees as better left until the colder months:
- Chokecherry
- Barberry
- Sycamore
- Magnolia
- Honey locust
- Apricot
When Should You Prune During Spring?
Whatever tree you trim during spring, reserve your actions for early or middle spring. You need to act before the tree begins to bloom, or you will interfere with bud development. With ornamental trees, this proves less of an issue, but it can impact your fruit harvest.
The only time you should consider pruning in the latter half of spring or summer is to remove damaged, diseased, or dying branches. You should not perform any structural or aesthetic cuts at this time of the year.
Contact the Professionals for the Best Service
Spring tree trimming and palm tree trimming can be confusing for the average property owner. How do you remove enough to achieve results without taking off too much? The certified arborists at Gutierrez and Sons Tree Service can lend you their expertise. Call them today at (310) 324 6593 to schedule service.