Pruning hardwood trees usually occurs when the tree is dormant and before new growth begins. The reason this is done is so that one can see the tree’s branch structure and know where to make pruning cuts. This and pruning at this time helps the tree have a full growing season in which to close the pruning wounds and reduce the transmission of disease. Yet with spring flowering trees, if pruning occurs in the dormant season, many of the flower buds are lost.
When pruning flowering trees or early spring bloomers like redbud, crabapple, dogwood, and callery pear, each should be pruned immediately after they bloom since their flowers are born on the previous season’s growth. With these trees, pruning right after the bloom period, you still maximize the time available for healing the pruning wounds and avoiding pruning out next year’s incipient flower buds. The rule of thumb for these trees is to prune right after the flower petals fall off the tree.
By pruning your flowering trees, you are assisting it by removing dead, diseased, or broken branches. This in turn reduces the amount of stress on the tree and keeps it growing in a healthy way. Pruning your trees, whether flowering or not, also helps keep the surrounding area safe. Branches that are weak or interfere with things like power lines should be trimmed to avoid possible injury to people or property.
When should you prune? With flowering trees, summer flowering occurs on the new wood produced in the spring, while spring flowering occurs on the wood produced during the summer growth. Pruning for summer flowering plants and trees should take place in the winter or early spring to establish a healthy growing environment for new buds. Pruning for spring flowering plants should take place after the plants have bloomed in early spring. If the tree or shrub is less than two years old, only light pruning is needed.
When pruning, be careful not to over do it. By pruning lightly and annually instead of pruning large amounts at once, you are helping to keep your tree healthy. If your tree is already interfering with utility lines, quonset steel buildings or other items in the environment, and pruning is a necessity, be cautious about not topping your tree. Topping is the removal of all parts of a tree beyond a certain height. Topping your tree should never be an option. While it seems you are getting rid of the hazard, in truth you are creating a bigger hazard as topping weakens trees. A weakened tree is then more susceptible to breakage during windstorms.
So what can you do to cut back your tree without topping it? Try reduction pruning, which is the process of taking longer branches and reducing them back to lateral branches. Some branches can be removed at their point of origin. Be cautious of excessive thinning of the interior branches as it can lead to growth of upright interior shoots or limb breakage.
If you are still confused about how to prune a flowering tree, consult with an arborist who is knowledgeable about such trees, especially if they are large trees. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Pruning deciduous trees
usually occurs when the tree is dormant and before new growth. The reason this is done, so you can see the tree 's industrial structure and to know where possible. This treatment and helps the trees now have a full season of growth, as the closure of wounds of trees and reduce disease transmission. However, from spring blooming trees, if the cut is made in the period of dormancy, flower buds, is lost.
When pruning trees bloom in early spring as the Redbud panties, apple, dogwood, and Callery pears, all must be removed immediately after their flowers bloom from the previous season were born growth. With these trees, even pruning after flowering, continue to give time for healing and to avoid cutting of trees in the year of initial buds. In principle, these trees are pruned after the petals fall from the tree. />
Trim your flowering trees, the removal of dead branches, diseased or broken. This in turn reduces pressure on the tree grows and stays healthy. Pruning of the State or flowering or not, also helps protect the area. Branches that are weak or interference with things like power lines should be trimmed to prevent injury to persons or property.