The Best Time to Prune

You’ve probably heard that you should prune your trees in the fall, before the first freeze. In fact, one of the most common myths of pruning is that all trees should be pruned just before winter. But the truth is, fall may actually be the worst time of year to prune!

So what is the best time to prune? That depends on what kind of pruning you want to do. Sometimes, the best time to prune a tree is in the dead of winter, or in the middle of summer, or even early spring, like it is now. 

​What is Pruning?

Pruning is an important part of maintaining a tree's integrity and health, and involves selectively removing certain branches (or parts of branches). There are multiple different types of pruning that are utilized to accomplish different goals. For example, crown cleaning is a pruning technique that removes dead, dying, or diseased branches so they don't harm or hinder healthy ones. This type of pruning can actually be done year-round, as the removal of dead branches doesn’t leave behind ‘wounds’ the way pruning away live growth does.

Click here to learn more about the different types of pruning!​

When is the Best Time to Prune?

The idea that you should prune your trees in the fall comes from the valid awareness that you should prune a tree while it’s dormant. Waiting until a tree is “asleep” for the winter encourages new growth come springtime, and is a good practice in the arboreal world. The important missing factor, however, is that most trees are only winding down in the fall but not actually dormant. And with the fall season being cool and rainy, it’s a breeding ground for pests, fungi, and rot that can cause all kinds of problems.

Pruning live growth (which just means pruning away branches that are still alive and healthy), while good for the tree in the long run, creates “wounds” where you cut away branches or parts of branches. Outside of higher-activity months, like spring and summer, your tree will take some time to seal off those wounds. In the cold winter, this isn’t a problem, because the low temperatures discourage rot and decay, and most pests and fungi are also dormant at this time, so they aren’t likely to infect a tree through an open wound. 

But in the fall, the weather is just cool, and generally damp. It’s the happiest time of year for a variety of nasty pests and fungi, and is also a great environment for rot and decay, putting those wounds at risk. 

Summer and Spring Pruning

When it comes to pruning live growth, winter is probably the “best time to prune,” thanks to the protective barrier of cold temperatures and dormant pests. If you’re looking to thin out your branches, trim back wayward limbs, or just improve the overall health of your tree, then waiting until the dormant months is probably your best bet. 

But winter isn’t the only time you can prune live growth. If you’re looking to redirect growth, then late spring or early summer is actually the best time to do it. Redirecting growth means encouraging your tree to grow in a different direction or pattern – for example, away from the powerlines or your roof. 

Redirecting can also refer to if you want to encourage a specific trunk to become dominant on a tree with more than one. So, for example, crepe myrtles have multiple leaders (trunks) that grow from the base and out into a shrub-like shape. If you want to encourage the tree to grow taller rather than wider, you can trim back some of the leaders so one becomes stronger. This will encourage the tree to grow into a more stereotypical “tree” shape.

Summer is also a good time to remove defective limbs or branches that have grown too heavy to support themselves any longer. Any wounds created by removing limbs will be easily taken care, as the tree will have plenty of energy to spare in its most active period.

Exceptions to the Rules

There are, of course, always extenuating circumstances to keep in mind. Evergreen trees aren’t nearly as dormant in the dormant months, for example. Flowering trees are often best pruned only after the blooms have fallen – unless they bloom in late summer, in which case they should be pruned over the winter or in very early spring. The best time to prune fruit trees depends on the type of fruit, and the climate you’re in.​

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to deciding both what kind of pruning a tree needs, and when the best time to prune it is. That’s why we recommend reaching out to a Certified Arborist. Someone with education, training, and experience can help you both accomplish your goals and give your tree the best chance at a long, healthy life. 

​If you have a tree that you want pruned, or think needs pruning, in the Athens, Georgia area, feel free to give Classic City Arborists a call today to schedule a Free Estimate. 

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Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

Sources:
Atlanta Arbor
Best Time of Year to Trim
​Fruit Tree Pruning
​Pruning Trees
​Why You Should Stop Pruning In The Fall
Winter Pruning
​How to Prune Crepe Myrtles
​Pruning Trees