Is now a good time of year to trim a tree?

Question

I thought I read somewhere that now is bad to trim bushes because the growths will die, does the same thing apply to trees? My tree is getting out of control and all the branches keep knocking into my siding. The leaves have all fallen. Can I trim the branches now?

Answer 1

If the tree is banging against the house, remove the offending branch any time. Also dead wood can be removed anytime, it's dead!

I'd hold off large scale pruning now because the open wound is more prone to all the spores floating around. So depends if you live in a moist, moldy climate, I'd hold off making many cuts until it gets a bit colder and dryer (forgot to ask what part of the country).

Winter pruning is OK as you can see the structure without all the leaves. However, don't prune when it's quite cold, subfreezing (like you'll be out there anyway, LOL).

Late winter/early spring is a good time for general pruning.

Don't prune at spring leafout as the plant is at its lowest energy point then (it just spent big energy pushing out those leaves!!) Wait until the first growth flush is finished....usually a couple of weeks.

Summer pruning is fine if you don't open the tree up so much tender bark underneath is suddenly exposed and sunburns.

This is a long about way to say, worst time is at leaf-out, now is maybe a bit risky, but not really much, subzero winter is silly, rest of the time, enjoy yourself.

I'm assuming you know how to make a proper cut??? If not, look that up. Way tooo much damage is done by improper cuts. No flush cutting !!!!! No leaving a stub!!!!! Make the proper undercut first to avoid having the branch tear down the trunk. All of this is available with a web search.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/cuts.htm

Answer 2

My grandfather who grew up on a farm said that best time to trim majority of trees is when the weather is cool or cold. He said this was when the sap stays toward the trunk of the tree. He also said whenever the tree involved is going into it's normal dormant stage. Sounds like your tree has gone into normal dormant stage so you can do some serious cutting back and reshape it so it will not rub your house. You can do minor trimming almost all year long. He would never do much trimming after really warm weather set in saying the heat and the shock of cutting would set a tree back. He was not a professional trimmer but his trees always looked great. The other thing to consider is where you are living. He had different rules for when he lived back east vs. when he lived in California.

Answer 3

Right now is a good time to trim trees. There really is no bad time for trees
except the middle of summer when it's the hottest. But right now, the trees
are going into dormancy and the stress factor is low. When spring comes
around, they're already in the process for new growth. Early spring is really
for shrubs, Fact is, we do it all year round when something needs it. If a tree
is rubbing against your siding or roof, trim it as soon as you notice it. Use
tree wound dressing on the bigger cuts - don't worry about the little ones.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is now a good time of year to trim a tree?
I thought I read somewhere that now is bad to trim bushes because the growths will die, does the same thing apply to trees? My tree is getting out of control and all the branches keep knocking into my siding. The leaves have all fallen. Can I trim the branches now?

Answer 5

I do believe that the spring and fall are good times to trim trees. Just make sure you do it before it freezes, or what until spring.

Answer 6

Spring or fall. In your case now! You just have to wait until the tree is dormant (the leaves are gone) just make sure the tools that you are using are clean and clean after use on each plant / tree. Wash it with soap and water and even bleach wont hurt. This will eliminate the transfer of possible diseases plants carry.

Answer 7

I've heard tree trimmers say that "any time your saw is sharp is the time to trim a tree" What I think is important is to put paint on the limb left on the end that was cut off so the limb will be more disease resistant

Answer 8

A good rule of thumb any month with a R in it
then use a pruning sealer on the cut to help the tree heal

Answer 9

sure, you can trim most any tree at most any time of the year, but be careful of frost.

Answer 10

Spring. Right beforenew growth starts or after winter thaw.