Here at Grace Tree Service, we’re often asked, “What’s the best time to trim trees?”
We’d love to be able to give a simple answer to this question. But we wouldn’t be the leading tree-trimming service in Kokomo, IN if we didn’t recognize that knowing when to trim your trees is rarely straightforward.
When approaching tree trimming, our arborists must take a variety of factors into account, including the type of tree, its susceptibility to disease, the impact of insects, and the surrounding landscape.
Luckily, we’ve incorporated all these details into an informative guide. Keep reading to learn how to get the timing right for your next tree trim.
Tree Trimming in Late Fall/Early Winter
In general, winter is the best time to trim many different types of trees. Some trees that thrive on winter trimming include oak trees, spruces, firs, maples, and cedar trees.
Along with using the wrong tree trimming tools, one of the most common tree trimming mistakes is to trim your trees during their peak growing period in early summer. Trimming trees between November and March–when most are dormant–avoids starving your tree of the leaves it needs for capturing the light and nutrients.
Winter trimming also has the advantage of better visibility and accuracy for tree trimming services when there are no leaves on the branches. Trees are also less susceptible to insects or disease in winter and will heal faster as a result.
Tree Trimming in Late Winter/Early Spring
Not all trees thrive when trimmed at any point during the winter. Trimming certain trees between late winter and early spring can help them avoid various issues and diseases.
This is especially true for apple trees, which are best trimmed between February and late April. Trimming apple trees in the fall and early winter can cause growth issues the following season. Likewise, late spring and early summer trimming increases the spread of infection among apple trees.
You should wait to prune honey locusts until they are dormant in late winter when the conditions are drier. Late winter and early spring trimming is also best for pine trees, arborvitae, and junipers. This ensures that you prune before new growth but after there’s any chance of frost.
As for hedges, you should trim these twice per year–once in the early spring and once towards the end of the summer or early in the fall.
Tree Trimming in Late Summer/Early Fall
As well as giving your hedges a second trim of the year, late summer to early fall is the perfect time for trimming pussy willow, wisteria, and birch trees. Trimming later in the year helps these trees avoid specific plant diseases from spreading to the rest of the tree.
Your Tree Trimming Timetable
Many people make the mistake of thinking that tree trimming is a matter of lopping off branches whenever you notice that they’re dead or in the way.
But, as this quick guide shows, sticking to a strict tree trimming schedule is the best way to keep your trees healthy and thriving.
One of the best ways to ensure that your trees are always in great shape is to hire a professional tree trimming service to take care of them for you. For more information, contact us here at Grace Tree Service today!