Trimming thin and weak tree branches is an essential part of keeping your home safe from debris during inclement weather. Additionally, trimming your trees helps strengthen and shape them, enhancing the diffusion of light and allowing air to flow throughout the crown of the tree. This promotes the growth of fruiting trees. With all those benefits in mind, what is the best season to have your trees trimmed?
The Truth
In truth, you should trim different trees at different times of the year. Factors that affect this timing include the age of the tree, the type of tree, and where you live. However, in terms of tree health, a good rule of thumb is to avoid trimming them during fall! While this may seem counterintuitive, this is when trees are preparing for dormancy, and you don’t want to encourage new growth just as the cold weather is about to hit.
To help, the rest of this article will give you the quick and dirty on a few types of trees.
Fruit and Flowering Trees
Flowering trees that bloom from spring to the early summer should be pruned as soon as the flowers fade. You should trim trees that flower during the summer or fall in late winter or early spring. However, in general, fruit trees should be pruned in the later winter or early spring. Pruning too early in the winter can make the tree vulnerable to disease.
Subtropical Trees
Subtropical trees are an interesting case. They generally need to be trimmed throughout the year. This is because subtropical trees live in areas that commonly experience inclement weather, such as hurricanes. The good news is that the areas in which they grow have the perfect environment for them to continuously grow new tissue. They have plenty of resources to stay healthy.
New or Young Trees
Regardless of whether a newly planted tree is old or young, you want to wait about a year before you start trimming. This is because you want the tree to develop a healthy root system, and trimming the tree too soon can mitigate its ability to manufacture food. However, you may occasionally need to prune dead or broken branches. The same general rules also apply to young trees that have yet to grow substantially.
Deciduous Trees
Deciduous trees are trees that shed their leaves at a specific time of year, typically in the fall. What makes them interesting is that they are an exception to the rule of not trimming during fall dormancy. You should trim deciduous trees in their dormant season to prevent the tree from going into shock during the winter. This allows the tree to really grow and flourish when it exits dormancy in the spring.
Now that you know the best seasons to have your trees trimmed, you may be tempted to whip out the sheers. However, remember that these general rules always come with exceptions. If you aren’t sure when you should trim your tree, contact a tree removal company with workers who have the knowledge to ensure the health of your tree and the safety of your home.
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