A Cut Above – Spring Tree Pruning Guide

Spring Tree Pruning Tips

As homeowners know, spring is often the busiest season. The snow thaws and our gardens are exposed, glaringly in need of cleaning, trimming, and rejuvenation. 

The winter can be hard on our trees as well. Knowing when and how to prune them is an essential part of their health, ensuring that they flourish and thrive. So, why is it one of the most neglected aspects of yard work? While many of us carefully trim our perennials and shrubs, the thought of overcutting and accidentally damaging a beautiful, hearty tree can feel intimidating. However, when armed with a few tips, tree pruning can be easily done and the results are worth it! 

Why prune in late winter and early spring?

According to Mitchell Watt, plant supervisor at Sheridan Nurseries in Oakville, early spring is a great time to refresh overgrown shrubs and trees to help promote healthy new growth. “Pruning before the buds break leads to something we call ‘optimum wound closure’,” he says, “It allows the trees to heal from being cut before warmer weather sets in.”  

Another important reason to trim in early spring is that it allows pruners to assess the tree structure before the new buds emerge. That way you can clearly see where it is overgrown and in need of refreshing. It is also easier to identify any branches that may have sustained damage or disease over the long winter months.

Flowering and deciduous trees

Flowering fruit trees and deciduous trees are best pruned in late winter and early spring before buds, leaves, or blossoms appear. Since trees store their energy in their root system, pruning in late winter or early spring (while the tree is considered “dormant”), encourages vigorous growth to the branches that are left once spring arrives. For fruit trees, this means better quality fruit and bountiful yield. Also, don’t be afraid to trim aggressively! The harder the cutting, the greater the response to new growth will be. 

If your tree is too large and you want to curb its growth, pruning after it has blossomed will help slow growth down and enable you to keep the tree to a more manageable size. 

There is a small group of trees and shrubs that should not be trimmed in spring, including forsythia, lilac, magnolia, and hydrangeas. These types of plants develop their buds prior to spring and also grow buds on old wood. Trim these trees in the autumn. 

Evergreens

Evergreen pruning differs slightly from other trees. Watt recommends pruning all evergreens — except pine — in early spring before any new growth starts. This means following the natural branching pattern of the tree to cut away any winter damage, as well as trimming dead foliage. This will help preserve the original shape of the tree. 

With broadleaf evergreens like cedar and boxwood a process known as “selective pruning”, or trimming one branch at a time, will give better long-term results than over trimming. Aesthetically, regular shearing will give evergreens a fuller, denser look over time. 

When to DIY and when to leave it to professionals 

With the correct tools, pruning and reshaping a tree is a simple DIY project. But, when should we call in professionals?

Jessica, from TERRA Greenhouses in Burlington, says that pruning for cosmetic reasons is almost always a do-it-yourself task. Another time to wield the shears is when small or medium trees begin to develop suckers at their base. Since suckers are closest to the root system where the tree stores its energy, they divert it from the main plant and focus it on themselves. “Over time, you’ll start to lose the beauty of the original tree that you carefully chose and invested in,” Jessica says. 

The arborists at Davey Tree Experts in Burlington have a rule of thumb — if you have to work from any great height, call in a professional! They caution that the consequences of unskilled pruning aren’t just aesthetic. The structural integrity of the tree can be compromised and turn it into a danger during storms, leaving it susceptible to lost branches or even uprooting.

Another reason to call in help is if the tree is showing signs of real sickness or disease that needs to be treated. An arborist can also help if it has been many years since your tree was pruned. They can give it a good reshaping and, with their guidance, homeowners can maintain it afterward.  

by Kristen Psihogios

Local Links

Terra Green Houses
Terragreenhouses.com

Sheridan Nurseries
Sheridannurseries.com

Davey Tree
Daveytree.ca/burlington

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11 Comments

  1. says: Bryan Smith

    Hi Kristen, it was a great read indeed. There are trees in my garden looking forward to prune them in order to maintain the health and make their appear good. Initially I was thinking of getting them pruned by myself but I don’t have all the necessary tools. Moreover since the pruning is to be done at a height I will definitely hire the professionals for tree pruning.

  2. Very Good Article! Hiring a professional to handle your tree needs makes a lot of sense. They come with knowledge and expertise to make sure that your trees are cared for properly. Do you research though before hiring anyone.

  3. says: Ruby Osburne

    Thanks for writing this great article for us. I have gained good stuff from this website. Looking forward to your next article. I am happy to share this post to my friends. Keep it up.z`

  4. says: Sam Chapman

    This is an interesting topic that you covered in this article. Really a nice post and have learnt a lot of new staffs regarding tree pruning. I would definitely apply them while pruning trees at my garden.

  5. says: Amy Saunders

    Hello! As autumn is slowly leaving us, a few trees in front of my house start to shed off some small branches randomly. I think I’ll have to hire a professional to take a look on the matter and make some proper adjustments later on. Anyway, thanks for highlighting that periodical pruning can keep our plants within a tolerable level of maintenance.

  6. says: Olivia Smart

    Thank you for explaining that flowering trees are best pruned in late winter. I’ve been wondering when to get some of my trees pruned. I’ll have to keep this in mind for the future.

  7. I love how you point out that DIY is not always the best way to go. We have this large tree in our yard that needs to be trimmed some, but my partner and I have no idea how t do that. So we’re looking into finding some professionals to come down and decide what’s best for our tree.

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