It’s easy to take trees for granted.
They’re always there for us, offering cool shade, bursting out with spectacular fall colors, maybe even providing a crisp apple or a profusion of fluffy pink springtime blooms.
But sometimes they need our help.
Like pruning. But pruning can be tricky. What’s the best time to prune trees in North Carolina? And what about pruning vs trimming?
When Is The Best Time to Prune Trees in North Carolina?
Most trees are pruned in late winter. Trees are dormant in winter, which means the fresh pruning cuts heal faster. Open wounds attract insects and diseases that can harm the tree.
One exception is flowering trees like dogwood and cherry. These are pruned right after they bloom. If you prune them in winter, they won’t bloom the next spring. As a general rule: if it blooms before June, prune right after it blooms. If it blooms after June, prune in winter.
Another exception is evergreens. They never become fully dormant, so they’re pruned during the growing season.
And of course, safety is always an exception. A dead or diseased tree branch could topple at any time, posing a danger to people and property. In that case, it has to go immediately.
Why Do Trees Need Pruning?
There are plenty of reasons:
- Broken, weak, or diseased branches pose a safety hazard.
- Crossing branches rub against each other in the wind, eventually creating open wounds that invite insects and disease.
- Tree canopies can grow too low, obscuring sight lines of drivers and pedestrians.
- Overgrown branches create hiding places for vandals or trespassers.
- Small shaded branches that never receive enough sunlight will never thrive.
These are all great candidates for pruning.
Even Young Trees Need Pruning
Pruning isn’t just for mature trees. Pruning a tree properly when it’s young sets it up for a lifetime of healthy and attractive growth. It’s best to prune when a tree is small, so you’re not cutting off big branches and leaving large wounds that are harder for the tree to heal.
Proper structural pruning early means less corrective pruning later. Ignore it, and you could end up with an overgrown tree that needs extensive — and expensive — work.
Pruning Vs Trimming
They’re not the same thing.
Small shrubs and hedges are typically trimmed with shears three times a year, mostly for aesthetics. Trimming takes off any unruly new growth and tidies everything up.
Pruning, on the other hand, is typically done once a year with hand-held pruners or loppers, and is more for the health and long-term benefit of the tree.
Tree Pruning, Step By Step
The first step in pruning is close inspection:
- Identify low, dead, or diseased branches.
- Remove small branches that will never get enough sunlight to survive.
- Plan carefully before removing larger branches.
Neatness matters. Cuts should be made just above a vigorous branch or bud, which allows the tree to heal properly and ensures new growth grows outward, not inward.
Leave It To The Pros
Pruning incorrectly can set a tree up for failure. Large open wounds left behind can invite destructive insects and disease. Professional pruning ensures the right cuts are made in the right places, at the right time.
Bonus Benefits To Pruning
Don’t worry that pruning hurts your trees — it actually helps them:
- Pruning keeps trees strong so they can withstand snow, ice, and wind storms.
- It increases air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
- Trees that are routinely pruned tend to live longer than those left untended.
Make Pruning A Priority
Don’t wait for an emergency to consider tree pruning. Proper pruning along the way can prevent dangerous last-minute problems and help your trees thrive for years to come.
Leave The Pruning To Greenscape
At Greenscape, Inc., we’re pruning experts. We know when, why, and where to make professional pruning cuts that will keep your trees happy and healthy.
We’ve been meeting the full-service landscaping needs of commercial and residential customers in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary areas for more than 35 years.
We offer landscape management and lawn care, design and build services, irrigation, landscape lighting, and more.
Call us at 919-552-7742 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation and learn how we can transform your landscape.
We can’t wait to hear from you.