My2cents
ArboristSite Operative
I noticed in my area that the maple sap is running(I see the buckets on the trees). I still have to do some heavy pruning to a couple of crab apple trees. Is it OK to prune these trees now.
Pruning in April
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treeslayer
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Here in Va the trees are budding out hard, what about up there?
DadF
ArboristSite Operative
Just got back from a pruning workshop put on by Dr. Ed Gilman from Florida State. His basic reply to the "when to prune" was anytime you can do it RIGHT. However he did qualify that by saying that when the buds are breaking on trees is probably the worst time to prune since everything going on in the tree is so physiologically sensitive.
Would recommend his pruning workshop to anyone that can make it to one...will be having one at the annual ISA meeting in Montreal.
Would recommend his pruning workshop to anyone that can make it to one...will be having one at the annual ISA meeting in Montreal.
Stumper
One Man Band
I agree. This is the absolute worst time to prune your crabapples-and it won't hurt a thing. The differences are simply not that great. Do be careful though-the bark is most susceptable to damage at this time. Proper pruning practices are always important.
Kneejerk Bombas
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I like to wait at least until the flowering is over, and even better is to wait until the leaves fall off in July(hehe, my first apple scab joke of the year). In the winter you can see the tree's structure better and you will have less impact on the appearence of the tree.
If you must prune now, do it. It may have fewer flowers and be slightly more stressfull to the tree, but in the long run it won't matter much.
If you must prune now, do it. It may have fewer flowers and be slightly more stressfull to the tree, but in the long run it won't matter much.
M.D. Vaden
vadenphotography.com
Dr Alex Shigo also included in a tree book that trees - in general - can be pruned any time of year.
Some people warn against pruning at certain segments of the year, but the significance of the reasons are dwarfed by the fact that tree services are not going to shut down for additional seasons of the year when they already have to deal with holiday and winter slow-down.
Especially since any hazard in highly insignificant.
In Oregon, we have pruned during every week, of every year, during heat, drought, wet, wind, cold, snow, etc., and never seen any problem on any tree as a result.
Other tree services and landscape specialists are seeing the same results.
That's in consideration of avoiding "heavy" pruning at sensitive seasons.
The only problem that we consistently run across in relation to season, is removing top growth on trees like Apple right before the heat season comes in. That results in sunburn since the sun shines hot on the bark before the new shoots and leaves can fill in and protect with shade.
Other parts of the country may see different results. But in Oregon, the trees themselves are the Phds, and natures own tree doctors, here, say that pruning works all year long - with success and health.
M.D. Vaden of Oregon
Some people warn against pruning at certain segments of the year, but the significance of the reasons are dwarfed by the fact that tree services are not going to shut down for additional seasons of the year when they already have to deal with holiday and winter slow-down.
Especially since any hazard in highly insignificant.
In Oregon, we have pruned during every week, of every year, during heat, drought, wet, wind, cold, snow, etc., and never seen any problem on any tree as a result.
Other tree services and landscape specialists are seeing the same results.
That's in consideration of avoiding "heavy" pruning at sensitive seasons.
The only problem that we consistently run across in relation to season, is removing top growth on trees like Apple right before the heat season comes in. That results in sunburn since the sun shines hot on the bark before the new shoots and leaves can fill in and protect with shade.
Other parts of the country may see different results. But in Oregon, the trees themselves are the Phds, and natures own tree doctors, here, say that pruning works all year long - with success and health.
M.D. Vaden of Oregon
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