When is the best time to prune trees?

As arborist we are asked often when the best time to prune trees is. Here are the top four reasons why you should prune your trees in the dormant season.

[@JPWick]

Funny. I was a fund manager... then realized money doesn't make me happy. Left that and got rid of all my phones and portable electronic devices. Got into gardening. Best decision I ever made. I'm happy now.

[@calartian85]

I am still in the groove. I ache to turn off all of this shit. You’re my hero.

[@silversvcs]

thank you. very informative.

[@josealvarado9858]

great job man. now i know when is the right time to prune a fruit tree.very educative an professional and simple to understand. Thanks a lot Mr Russell. I enjoyed.

[@111Phoenix777]

That's what I thought. Wish someone would give a clue to the apartment complexes around here. They like trimming trees in the middle of Summer when we need the shade.

[@igorsinger3455]

simple, accessible and understandable. I practically agree with everything (with the exception of a few not radically different cases such as pruning, for example, plants with early strong sap flow like maple)

[@Twins0302]

So I was ready to call someone for my fruit trees, but after listening to you, I will wait for winter, I'm in Miami, Florida and yes have mango and canistel, sugar cane, and fig....while they've all fruited, I'll wait for Oct. Nov, months to prune, and wait for that Last quarter to do it.. Thanks so much for your advise..the time of moon phase does have something to do as well...unless, a hurricane comes and does some pruning on its own...

[@GeneBasler]

The best time to prune trees is when the saws are sharp. to quote an old friend and superior master arborist from San Antonio.

[@raphaelbeinhauer9242]

Your saws should always be sharp.

[@slothoner6946]

WRONG. I’ve met plenty of borderline idiots that are Master Arborists. That doesn’t mean anything

[@GeneBasler]

@@slothoner6946 I agree about Master Arborists. So kindly clarify what’s “WRONG” again?

[@slothoner6946]

@@GeneBasler certain species of trees need to be pruned at specific times... so not anytime is a good time just because a saw is sharp. I understand the implied humor, sorry for being a dick

[@zx10rpower17]

AWESOME!!!! just what I was looking for. I'd hire you to do my expensive trees and bushes. Hiring someone to do it this time around. I'm a iron worker and have no business doing landscaping, other than cutting and raking grass lol. I killed my trees and busted with a sawzall at my 1st home I owned 😆😆

[@chilarai1]

You did good. Being an arborist is cooler. And thanks for the info. I now am planning my pruning.

[@wboquist]

Great info, right to the point.

[@plkthebest]

Great video. I appreciate the info.

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Depends on the species. Depends on the part of the country you live in. Depends on weakness in the tree. Depends on decay. Keep going.

[@davesteier-xf5lh]

I wassssss going to blast… but then saw who I was replying to… uhhh no. lol. Isn’t the short answer: trees have capillaries (just like humans) and you want to prune them when the capillaries are CONTRACTED not Expanded?? I know that’s also not the answer your Instructor/ Tester wants to hear, but isn’t it that? In a nutshell? Thanks Blair.

[@lenovovo]

Thanks Mark!! Very good advice you have given! :-)

[@leeannafer6895]

Thank you this is the best video

[@shin-ishikiri-no]

Great explanation. I wish this channel were more popular! Vegans, and people in general need to be far more interested in plant care. Inane memes and the endless technology abstractions are destroying our connection to nature.

[@isaakjananel3935]

I have two lemon tree, avocado tree, mango tree. I'm not to sure when to prune my trees, I live in Southern California. I discover that my avocado tree have a big water sprout or a big branch almost the same size of my tree and it grew so fast. I'm confuse when to prune it. Thank you for your help.

[@dankuchar6821]

You can cut it anytime.

[@bbailey7976]

Good morning. Thanks for sharing. I sure could use your business in Mabelton Ga.

[@hmayor3745]

From stock broker to Arborist/tree surgeon thats Awesome, you found your true passion. What made you switch careers?

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Good question. I also used to do telemarketing at MCI back in the day when we used to sell long-distance I was really good at sales. Especially phone sales. So I thought that I should transfer that to something that when you made a sale you made a lot more money. However once I got past the series 7 and started pitching stocks, I hated it. I hated trying to sell something that I couldn't guarantee. It felt like a ruse. I was pitching a story all the time but I had no idea if it was true or not. It felt too funny. Too inconsistent. Crazy too because I spent so much time trying to pass that test.

[@verawallace9055]

Seems like A lot of Stress comes with that job too ?

[@biddiemutter3481]

Would you suggest using leaves falling as the sign that one can prune? I ask because fall happens at different times depending on where you are!

[@ritasrimustikasari]

Thank you.

[@sharongauss9298]

I want to lower the canopy and sides of my Eastern Redbud. It’s getting too big and hanging over my driveway. Can this be done?

[@hhattingh]

Very informative. Thank you

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Hi Hph. Thanks for stopping by!

[@ElectricityTaster]

The springwood is the lighter ring and grows in the spring. However, the darker ring does not grow in winter but rather in summer, thus it being called summerwood. Trees do not grow rings when they are dormant.

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Full dormancy. I just wonder if that's actually a thing. I was taught that the growth is just a lot slower.

[@HiNickCares]

Thanks.

[@Aaron_Barrett]

Can I trim walnut now, it have no leaves but I'm afraid it have juice start moving. Thank you for video, greetings from Ukraine

[@angelaguirre2725]

I always heard winter is the best time to keep bacteria from infecting

[@770ArboristTreeService]

+Angel Aguirre hey Angel, that's correct. A lot of the reason is because there are less bugs in the winter. Bugs carry bacteria and fungus on there bodies when they move in to drink the sap from the Fresh Cuts.

[@Joeatsaco69]

Thank you. So early on I threw 21-6-11 to my trees as that what my nursery was doing to get the biggest trees. Now in hind sight. They did it to grow trees faster to then charge more for bigger trees. Now my problem. I have some really full to crazy full apple, pear trees. Sounds like in the fall I really need to thin from the middle by 50% as my trees limb and leaf very well and grow to heights I can not get fruit from. But they do t fruit. I am guessing that is because all of the energy has been in growth not in production. Please help.

[@lukewise777]

Appreciate the info, very very informative. But who's throwing out steak, lol😊.

[@jeffmicka6912]

I like the enthusiasm but......... You have to be specific. Trees don't heal. In a best case scenario they seal a pruning wound. Probably best to study up on Compartmentalization and Encapsulation! Also, point #1 is true, but #2 findse scratching my head. According to you, the wound dries out, thus becoming unattractive to pests/pathogens. I was taught that a moist wound actually discourages fungal infestation. Also, if the revised studies of compartmentalization coming out of Germany are correct, pruning during the dormant season means that any infection will have that much of a headstart on infiltrating the wound/branch/trunk before the active defense response starts up in the spring. Also, a distinction should be made between deciduous and evergreen trees. In CA, pruning Coast Live Oak in Fall when the Oaks are just coming out of their 'summer dormancy' is a big no-no. Sorry to be contradictory but feel it's necessary to clarify.

[@winstonsmith11]

Soooooo, with your understanding would you then prune in the late winter/ end of the dormancy period? Or would you wait to prune until the very early spring? I wonder because of the point you mentioned about a dry vs moist wound, and how it relates to the overall health of the tree.

[@RyanRedvers]

I’m not an expert on the timing thing but practicing 25 years now. Some information as said coming out of Germany ( Hamburg reference? Idk) is pointing to growing season pruning. In my area Apple, Elm, Birch and others are best maybe late March but maple and others perhaps best in early or mid-growing season. Pruning in growing season may also be more likely to cause a dwarfing/re-shooting effect, which may or may not be desired. Otherwise the level of pruning dose is usually more significant than timing. Keep cuts small, even if that means 70 between 1/8” and 2” instead of 20 between 1” and 4”.

[@aloha4ever1]

It's the middle of April and many trees are starting to bloom and the guys are chopping the heck out of these trees. No way will there be any shade this summer.

[@jannwynn]

Super informative and knowledgeable guy. Highly recommend. Call him!

[@ZE308AC]

Summer and winter

[@esthert9146]

I don’t want to disturb bird nests. So when is the best time to prune?

[@monicachavez7645]

Wow, I never knew a tree has to heal.

[@ravensunn]

I have a 4ft silver maple tree in a flower pot i grew it from a seed its about 2 years old and the trunk is no bigger then a pencil i want to dwarf the tree and at some point splice a feather maple onto it my question is how do i top the tree to make it shorter?

[@pjcdm]

Great! And in tropical regions?

[@xavierv.1207]

When is not hot outside.

[@Mitchney]

What is better, passive index funds or active mutual funds?

[@corruptduboiscountyindiana5058]

so anytime after the leaves fall off?

[@ciasarah376]

What about Mimosa trees should i trim in the fall?

[@saintmaxmedia2423]

I heard that stone fruit trees, like peaches should be pruned after flowering or during. Would you agree? Especially for growing zone 6. Thank you for the video.

[@ericmorse8665]

Great video!!!

[@inaouk1240]

Would you please tell me what month should I cut the the trees to make the leaves grow good, is it November or December?

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Hi there, typically where you recommend anywhere from October 15 through March 15. Somewhere around there. It kind of depends on what kind of tree and where you're located. And also depends on how heavy of a pruning. If you're only doing a little it shouldn't be that big of a deal. But if it's a heavy pruning, 25% etc., it's better to wait till December January when the tree is fully dormant.

[@yuanmie1642]

I prune my manggo trees . The next day i spray it to force te manggo to bloom. Did i do the wrong time.of.pruning.? Hoping i can get some exact answer with my concers.. because some other says the right tine of prunig is after of harvesting. Which is the.right answer.

[@EasyexplanationScienceconcepts]

Nicely explained

[@CPUScience]

Thanks!

[@EasyexplanationScienceconcepts]

@@CPUScience sir can I prun blackberry ( java plum )tree in end of march

[@sheilamore3261]

What about crate myrtles would it be OK to cut them back in the middle of the summer they have a Lotta fruit buds on them

[@jackriley7967]

You prune Crate Myrtles another February. If you cut them in the summer they may not bloom

[@tammymcginty123]

Crepe Myrtle is the correct spelling. 🙂

[@mikegallegos7]

... but, in late fall, during winter, and early spring, how do you tell which limbs/branches are dead: there are no leaves ??? Thanks for the video.

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Partially because of the way they wiggle. Dead branches don't flex. So when you move the branches around you can watch the tips. The ones that are super stiff for the dead ones. Also dead ones a lot of times won't have buds on them depending on the Time of the Season at your pruning. Finally the easiest way is to Simply snap the tip off and see if they are brittle or pliable. If they're pliable they're still likely alive, if there brittle they're dead.

[@gary24752]

Is directional pruning considered what is necessary to maintain electric lines or is it a management procedure?

[@BryceGarling]

#5 The leaves are out of the way and you can see clearly.

[@770ArboristTreeService]

YUP!!! Forgot that one. :-)

[@araucobeltran8030]

very informative, here is a question for you, am in florida treasure coast area I have this Florida mahagony tree in my front yard is growing out of proporsion is blocking the driveway and I want to prune it but this tree drops its leaves at least 3 time a years so I do not know when to prone it, any sujestions

[@willamdomahony9682]

Arauco Beltran May

[@seancrocker2796]

How about moving a tree? When is the best time and the worst time to move a tree?

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Right now until mid march in Georgia... You dont want the buds to be coming out.. tree needs to be dormat

[@seancrocker2796]

thanks @@770ArboristTreeService

[@THEEND-os8xu]

Is it ok to prune at night

[@melissaamericanmade9831]

❤

[@comboverjones5096]

I have a tree that grows like a weed. Little sprouts in my lawn all the time. Can you tell me what kind of tree this is if I can provide any additional information?

[@RDuval-mb9lk]

Most likely is a ligustrum vogare

[@comboverjones5096]

@@RDuval-mb9lk I found out they are "tree of heaven" Ailanthus trees. Thanks though!

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Sorry for the late reply I guess you already found your answer. zBest wishes!

[@mishell4906]

Hi there,great video👍I've got a huge overgrown male avocado tree,is this a good time/season to have it cut back?

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Not sure... I dont do avacados. they dont grow in GA. (sadly)

[@miker1645]

Hey Mark. You have a strong surname. ;)

[@willyhaughey7123]

I have a white fungus on my branches on a maple tree. they did not produce leaves this past summer. the branches are dead I'm sure? can I cut the branches off now that it is winter here in iowa . and should I prune them all. and at what direction should I leave the cut end?

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Hey Willie, sorry for the late reply. So yes, sounds like you have some fungus. You always want your cut on the bottom side of the branch collar to stick out slightly further than on the top side. This is because the bottom side of the branch collar typically has a more gradual transition so it comes out a little farther on the branch. Here's an image online to kind of show you an idea. d1pz7e5p5i8lqp.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3.6_2.jpg

[@melissaamericanmade9831]

Some wouldn't know a 2×4 from a tree.

[@Johnsmith50000Mr]

I planted a dogwood two days ago. I think it needs pruning. When is the best time to do that? Is it ok to prune this winter? Do you recommend pruning of newly planted trees? This tree was in a 15 gallon bucket. It’s a flowering dogwood. Thanks.

[@770ArboristTreeService]

That's a good question. The problem with pruning right away is that the tree is already going to have to allocate a lot of energy toward growing its roots and establishing them in the new area that you plant. If it was me I probably would not jump into pruning right off the bat. I'd let it settle in for a year or two. I guess the only time I might make an exception with this is if the newly acquired tree has some huge structural issue that needs to be addressed sooner than later. Obviously if you address a structural issue later it only means further stress on the tree in comparison to pruning it sooner where it's less of a face cut to close off. Best of luck!

[@Johnsmith50000Mr]

770-Arborist LLC Thank you. 😊

[@stanislavkocur3408]

Well how about the nut tree (juglans regia)? I heard its better to prune it in sept and oct (location: Berlin) as it takes longer to heal or maybe in order to avoid the frost to the cuts. I donno but once we made a mistake and pruned it in march of 2018 and it causes me pain to look at them now. But yeah that was spring already and we removed newly forming leaves. But my question is whether we can prune juglans regia in winter, during the frost or better to do it in earlier fall?

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Hi Stanislav, Thanks for the question... However I am not well versed on trees in Germany.. :-(

[@jjakejones]

Do trees have difficult time healing in early spring??

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Springtime is actually a time or tree start allocating energy tour different areas of there system. For example they will start pushing their internal resources to grow new leaves, or if you had made pruning Cuts during the winter, they will allocate energy to start compartmentalizing those wounds and creating callus formations to close them. So in general spring time is the time that they start pushing a lot of material to heal as compared to the other times of the year.

[@ccccclark2605]

👍✝️🙏❤️

[@ARBOLISTAEdgarGarcia]

🖒🖒🖒

[@blueterrace]

My sego palm is growing a second head so it starting to grow both sideways. Can I cut one head off so it stays how it was the last ten years!

[@770ArboristTreeService]

Hey Tim, unfortunately I'm not super informed on palm trees. My area of the country doesn't have any of them. Best of luck and sorry for the late reply.

[@TheIsaiah235]

Hi there! Although it’s still considered winter here in Arizona, it’s starting to warm up which is causing my trees to sprout/bud. Would you recommend waiting until this upcoming fall/winter season to prune or can i safely prune them now? I have two bonita ash and two Chinese pistach trees.

[@melissaamericanmade9831]

#ROARRRRR

[@funkypotamus]

What do you call a bloke who lives in a tree? Rustle

[@770ArboristTreeService]

LOL!!!!