Tree Service Erie PA crew
Pruning at the right time makes the work easier and helps the tree seal its cuts faster. Pruning at the wrong time can invite disease or cost you a year of flowers.
Here's how the seasons line up for the most common trees in local yards.
Dormant season: late fall to early spring
With the leaves off, it's easy to see the structure of the tree, and pests and diseases are less active. This is the best window for most deciduous trees.
- Maples, oaks, ash, linden and most shade trees
- Structural pruning on young trees
- Crown thinning before the next storm season
Oaks: winter only
Oak wilt spreads through fresh wounds when beetles are active in spring and summer. Pruning oaks in the dormant season lowers that risk.
Unless a limb is broken or dangerous, wait until the tree is dormant.
Flowering trees: right after bloom
Trees that bloom in spring, such as crabapples, cherries and magnolias, set their flower buds the year before. Prune right after they finish flowering so you don't cut off next year's show.
Cuts that can't wait
- Dead, broken or hanging branches
- Limbs touching the roof or the service line to the house
- Branches blocking a driveway, walkway or sightline
A hanging limb after a storm is a now problem, not a winter one. Call to have it removed.
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Tree Trimming & Pruning across Erie County
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Frequently asked questions
Can I trim trees in summer?
Light pruning is fine in summer for most trees, and dead or hazardous limbs can come off any time. Heavy pruning is better left for the dormant season.
How much can be removed at once?
As a rule of thumb, keep it to about a quarter of the live crown or less in one season. Removing too much stresses the tree.
Is fall a good time to prune?
Late fall, after leaf drop, works well for most trees. Early fall pruning can trigger new growth that doesn't harden off before winter.
How often should evergreens be trimmed?
Pines and spruces need less pruning than shade trees. Remove dead and damaged limbs as needed and avoid cutting into bare inner wood.
