To Prune or Not to Prune: That is the Question

To Prune or Not to Prune. That is the Question.

We’ve been talking a bunch about why you should plant trees and shrubs around your home and some amazing gardening tips to go along with it. But, there’s one important step we missed. Pruning! There are several reasons you may want to prune your tree, including pruning for health, safety, looks, and to strength. Pruning early can also prevent problems that may come up in the future. But how do you know when to prune and when you should let your shrub be?

Now is actually the best time to begin your pruning. Late winter, just before spring growth begins, is the best time to prune most trees because the structure of the tree is more visible. You can easily see branches that will need to be trimmed back or removed completely. You’ll want to look for branches that grow in a V-shaped angle. The reason? Two branches in this shape is too acute and will not allow for enough space to add new wood. Which means your tree will lose precious strength. Selective removal of branches with V-shaped angles will help to potentially strengthen the tree and allow it to grow.

Removal of dead wood can and should be done at any time of the year but timing is critical. Be sure to prune when the tree is dry so you can get a clean cut. And keep an eye out! Remove branches that present a hazard or could potentially be hazardous in the near future.

So you see, pruning is actually pretty simple. You should prune your trees once a year, around this time, and keep an eye out for any limbs that may cause problems down the road. In fact, pruning is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your trees looking great. So, get out there and snip away!

Keep an eye out for more tips and gardening tricks here!