When is the best time to prune?
Believe it or not, when you prune is just as important as
how do it. At the beginning of spring when trees are just
growing leaves, it's possible to cause damage through
pruning. The best way to prevent weakening your trees is to
prune in late summer.
Don't be tempted to prune for structure and form until the
leaves fall off in the fall and you can get a clear view of
all the branches. In the summer, however, get rid of dead
wood, as this is the best time to notice branches without
leaves.
Avoid pruning during the winter months (January through
early March). This is known as "maple sugar time."
Pay attention to oak trees especially from late spring to
midsummer, as this is when beetles infect the trees. Also,
if your area is prone to oak wilt, avoid pruning during this
time.
Finally, only prune to clear the way when branches have
dropped to their lowest point.
Where to cut
 Don't cut close to the trunk, as these cuts tend
to be too large and the wound may not seal right away.
 At the same time, don't cut too far away from the
trunk because this will leave behind a stub that makes it
easier for insects to invade the tree. In fact, the wound
won't even heal until you remove the stub.
 A proper cut is made just outside the branch
collar. This is the enlarged area where the branch meets the
trunk. The wound will heal faster if you make the cut here
because chemicals in the collar aid in the formation of
callus tissue.
Cutting - a three step process
On the underside of the branch, make a shallow cut
at about 4 or 5 inches from the trunk.
About 2-3 inches from the first incision you made,
cut off the branch. The unsupported branch will fall under
its own weight, but in the process the bark won't peel off
the side of the trunk.
Now you can safely cut off the stub that remains -
just make sure, again, that this cut is outside of the
branch collar. |
