When to Prune

Light pruning and dead wood removal can be performed at anytime. Otherwise, here is your pruning guide.

Pruning in winter is the most common practice. When you prune in winter, the trees will experience vigorous new growth when the trees leaf out in the spring. It's sound practice to wait until after the coldest part of winter has passed.

To direct the growth by slowing the branches you don’t want; or to slow “dwarf” the development of a tree or branch, pruning should be done soon after seasonal growth is complete. The reason for the slowing effect is that you reduce the total leaf surface, thereby reducing the amount of food manufactured and sent to the roots. Another reason to prune in the summer is for corrective purposes. Defective limbs can be seen more easily, or limbs that hang down too far under the weight of the leaves. - arborday.org. 

If your purpose for pruning is to enhance flowering:

1. For trees that bloom in spring, prune when their flowers fade.
2. Trees and shrubs that flower in mid- to late summer should be pruned in winter or early spring.

- arborday.org