Proper Tree Pruning Techniques

Trees need care, just as other plants in the landscape. Watering, feeding and pruning on a regular basis keeps the trees healthy. Pruning at the wrong time of the year may endanger or kill the trees. Remove dead branches any time of the year, but avoid pruning fruit trees or flowering trees unless they are dormant.

Fruit Trees

Prune fruit trees when you plant them to remove dead or diseased branches. Pruning when you plant also shapes the tree by creating one or two central leaders and four or six branches. After planting, prune fruit trees only when the canopy does not allow good air circulation or proper sunlight to the entire tree. The pruning process is done in late fall, winter or early spring. The tree must be dormant to avoid damaging the tree.

Conifers

Prune conifers any time of the year to keep the trees shapely and healthy. Remove any damaged or diseased limbs and branches as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the tree. The sap will run from the tree if you prune during the growing season. To keep dripping sap to a minimum, prune the trees during the dormant season, or when growth has slowed for the year.

Flowering Trees

Pruning of flowering trees, like magnolias or tulip trees, should be done right after blooming. The trees grow out during the rest of the growing season and then produce buds for the next year. Pruning during the fall or early spring, before new growth starts, cuts off the buds and keeps the tree from blooming. You may choose to remove some of the buds during the dormant season to keep flowering to a minimum.

Tropical Trees

Prune palm trees any time of the year to remove dead or damaged palm fronds. Avoid removing healthy green fronds, so the tree continues to feed. You should prune when there is an infestation of insects or rodents in the tree. For healthy pruning techniques, prune the palm tree fronds only when they turn brown or are yellowing. The tree replaces the dead or dying frond with a healthy new one, thus keeping the tree healthy.