Hard to believe with our mild winter, but spring is on its way! Spring means our landscapes begin to bloom with leaves and flowers, helping us forget about that winter gray. When we choose trees for our landscape we hope they continue to bloom for years to come, but this isn’t always a guarantee. If trees are not pruned properly, they could easily die prematurely.

Here’s the scoop on why it’s important to prune your trees. “The most common reasons typically include aesthetics, structure, and reducing risk. Typically, people prune to improve the appearance of the tree by reducing the length of fast-growing stems or unwanted growth. Sometimes pruning is necessary to remove dead or dying branches or those affected by insect damage or disease. This helps defend against the spread of the pest and prevent further damage. Also, pruning can increase the vitality of the plant to improve flowering and fruit production.” (Purdue University)

So why are we talking about yard work in the middle of February? Believe it or not late winter to early spring is the best time to prune most trees. “Pruning during dormancy is the most common practice. It results in a vigorous burst of new growth in the spring and should be used if that is the desired effect. It is usually best to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed.” (Arbor Day Foundation)

So once the last arctic blast has past, get out there and start assessing your trees for their pruning needs. Remember “an important aspect of pruning is knowing when to prune plants. Proper timing helps to insure attractive, healthy, productive plants.” (Iowa State University)

Browning Tree Service is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2015/03-13/pruning.html

https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-506-W.pdf

https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/