Pruning a tree correctly can help the tree to remain healthy and can develop the branches so that they are spaced out evenly.
When to Prune Trees
Deciduous trees are usually dormant in late Autumn to Winter, and should be pruned at this time. They can be pruned at other times, however it is best to avoid early springtime, as trees can ‘bleed’ excessively at this time. When a tree ‘bleeds’ it excretes sap when cut or pruned.
The exceptions are evergreens, which only need dead or diseased branches removed in the late summer, and horse-chestnuts, cherry trees, maples, birches and walnuts, which should be pruned in mid to late summer.
How to Prune a Tree
- Cut away any dead or diseased branches. When cutting off a branch it is best to remove the bulk of it in several sections, and then cut off the last part of the branch just below the collar, which is the raised area where the branch meets the tree trunk.
- Stand back and look at the contours of the tree, and make a decision as to which branches need to be pruned in order to balance out the tree and achieve the desired look. Consider the fact that heavy pruning stimulates excessive growth.
- When removing large thick branches, wear heavy-duty protective gloves. Cut the branch from below, sawing halfway through the branch approximately 30cm from the tree trunk with a pruning saw. Then cut from above all the way through the branch roughly 1 – 2” further away from the previous cut. Next cut away the remainder of the branch by again cutting halfway through from below, but then cutting halfway through from above to join the two cuts together.
- When removing smaller, thinner branches, only make one cut all the way through using secateurs or a pruning saw. It is usually easier to cut these from below due to the angle of the branches.
- Once branches have been removed, always take a step back and look at the tree again. It may be necessary to remove a branch or two that was not originally noticed.
- Remove any congested stems. Budding stems can grow very fast and can quickly take over the tree. To thin these out, use secateurs to cut them down to a shoot that it growing out / away from other stems. Do not cut too close as to damage the bud, 0.5cm will suffice. If there is only one bud one side of the stem, cut it on an angle. If there are two buds opposite each other, then cut straight across the stem directly above the buds.
If the tree to be pruned is quite tall or heavily congested with branches, it is wise to call in an expert. It can be difficult to reach higher branches and can pose a safety risk when people are reaching up or climbing. A professional tree pruning company will have harnesses and safety equipment which they will be trained to use.
Regular tree pruning can ensure that trees grow healthy and beautiful.
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