Pruning Trees

Deciduous Trees

Certain varieties of trees may require annual tree pruning.  In order to avoid unnecessary pruning choose suitable trees for the allotted space.

Maintenance pruning consists of removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches, crossing and rubbing branches, suckers (base of plant), water sprouts (trunks or main branches), and thinning and heading back to maintain desired shape and size.

Evergreens

Annual tree pruning of evergreens when young is the best way for containing and maintaining a specific shape.

Spruce and Pine – shorten new growth (candles) by up to half in the spring before the needles begin to spread and are still soft.  Any other pruning can be done throughout the summer.

Cedars, junipers, and cypress can be pruned throughout the summer.