When to prune trees?

The best time to prune a tree is when you will cause it the least amount of stress.

A decidua tree (with leaves that fall off in the fall) is dormant in the winter so this is the time that will cause the least amount of stress to the tree. When it wakes up in the spring it will not expend energy into limbs that were cut off.

Most people think spring is the time to prune. But the truth is most trees will begin to put energy into buds as warm up spells happen earlier at the beginning of the year. This is when the tree would have put stored reserves into limbs that you then cut off. So in the deep cold of winter is the time to prune.

So why don't more people prune in the winter...well it is cold and uncomfortable. Which means you need to dress for that weather. I wear Gore-Tex that breaths, but keep it on once you start because it will make you wet with sweat.

The other thing to keep in mind is that you should not prune below freezing. If the branch is frozen you will shatter the cambium as you cut the tissue and leave a ragged cut that will not heal as well.

Here is a good video on winter pruning.