Tree pruning plays a significant role in tree health and growth, as it involves removing dead, diseased, or damaged tree parts. As a result of this removal, pruning reserves resources and energy for the healthy parts of trees.
Timing is important when it comes to tree pruning—too often or too infrequently can have adverse effects, and the proper frequency depends on whether it is a young or an old tree. Younger trees should be pruned more often, such as every 3 to 5 years, while older trees can go longer between pruning sessions. The time of year pruning is done matters too.
Winter is generally the best time for tree pruning for several reasons:
- Pest & Disease Prevention – Winter is the season where trees are dormant and less vulnerable to pests and disease, but it’s important not to prune too early—even late fall pruning can open wounds in the tree that attract pests. That being said, winter is also the season during which pests, fungi, and pathogens are less active, which reduces the risk of harm.
- Greater Visibility – Because leaves have fallen to the ground by winter, it’s easier for arborists to prune trees without too many leaves making it difficult to see where the branches are and what condition they are in. It speeds up the process and ensures accuracy.
- Less Stress on Trees – Dormancy in winter means tree pruning is less stressful on trees. They have more energy reserves since the energy is not being used for new growth, and that means the trees can heal from the cuts more quickly than in other seasons.