Trimming is an important part of your trees’ care, but it isn’t a job you can do whenever. Each type of tree requires trimming at very distinct times of the year. By doing so at exactly the right time, you’re ensuring the health and beauty of the tree.

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees should be trimmed in the late winter or early spring while the tree is still dormant. It will be much easier to see which branches need to be removed before the leaves come out, ensuring that all dead, unwanted, or diseased limbs are taken off. As the tree’s spring growth kicks in, it’ll be quite efficient at healing the wounds left behind, which reduces the tree’s stress.

Evergreens

It’s tempting to trim evergreens in the fall to use branches for holiday decorating, but you’re better off waiting until late winter or early spring. Just like with the deciduous trees, trimming at this time of year reduces stress and allows the tree to heal quickly. If you miss this window of opportunity, don’t worry. Evergreens do nicely with mid-summer trimming as well. Just make sure you wait until the new growth is finished.

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are best trimmed during the late winter or early spring. In addition to reducing stress and promoting fast healing, it eliminates sap loss. The sap is needed for developing fruit.

Exceptions to this rule are stone fruit trees, such as cherries and plums. These need to be trimmed in the summer to avoid the risk of silver leaf disease.

Flowering Trees

If your trees flower during the spring, wait to trim them until they’re done blooming. If you trim and prune before they bloom, you won’t have as many flowers. Spring flowering trees include dogwoods, crabapples, and redbuds.

On the other hand, if your trees flower during the summer or fall, you need to trim them in the late winter or early spring. If done before the new growth begins, you’ll still have plenty of flowers.

Trees With Sap

Trees with sap need trimming in the late summer or early fall. This gives them time to heal before their sap flow increases in the spring. If you do wait to trim trees such as maples, walnuts, or birches until spring, they’ll “bleed” sap. It won’t hurt the tree, but it’s messy and isn’t very attractive.

Following this guide will help you get the most out of your trees when it comes to scheduling annual trimming and pruning services. Hiring a professional for the job further ensures success. Call Gray’s Tree Service in Birmingham, AL to learn more about proper tree trimming and pruning.