As a certified arborist, nothing bothers me more than the improper pruning of trees. Since tree growth differs from shrubs (leaders, branches, etc.) and their growth rate is often slower, improper pruning of trees can permanently destroy the growth habit and lead to a weakened plant.
Once again, there are several general rules that I apply to the pruning of trees:
- Leave the pruning of large or high limbs to professional companies with certified arborists on staff.
- Never put anything on the pruning cuts. It only hinders the tree’s ability to seal off the injury.
- Never, ever top a tree. Any company that tops trees is unprofessional and engaged in a substandard practice.
How Much?
Once again, it’s advisable not to prune more than 25% of a tree’s canopy in a single pruning.
When?
For flowering trees, as with shrubs, blooms are either produced on the previous or current season’s growth and generally follow the same June 1 differentiation. However, for most deciduous trees (flowering or not), pruning is best done in the winter (January) when the leaves are down and the architecture is easily seen. Just remember that winter pruning will remove some flower buds from flowering trees, such as cherries, redbuds, and dogwoods.
