Tree pruning conifers through the dormant season will minimize sap and resin flow, however they can be pruned at any time. Tree pruning the trees which have showy flowers also needs to be achieved while dormant so you can see the structure, maximize wound closure, reduce disease and to eliminate any excessive flow of sap.

Flowering shrubs also need dormant pruning for exactly the same reasons above however, many may also need pruning at other times. Timber that blossom in early spring, the dogwood and red-bud for instance, have to be pruned immediately after they flower. Many flowering trees could be susceptible to fire blight, a bacterial disease, which can spread by pruning. These trees, such as for example crab apple, pear, types of hawthorn, mountain ash, pyracantha, and flowering quince must be pruned during the dormant season. The ones that flower during summer or fall should also be pruned during dormancy. Dead branches, however, can be removed anytime.

Fruit trees will not develop to the proper form or shape without any pruning or training. Properly pruned and trained fruit trees will yield an increased quality fruit earlier and their live span will be longer. The target to pruning and training would be to develop a strong tree framework that will be able to support a large crop of fruit. If fruit trees are not trained in the proper way the angle of the branches will undoubtedly be much too upright and can cause breakage with much crop. This will result in a reduction in the productivity of the tree and shorten its life. Another aspect of annual pruning and training would be to get rid of all diseased, broken, and dead limbs.

Proper tree training will start the tree's canopy and allow penetration of maximum light. The majority of fruit on a deciduous tree is formed the prior year as flower buds. The penetration of light is most important in the development of buds combined with the optimal fruit set, flavor and quality. Even if a mature fruit tree keeps growing quite well completely sun, a dense canopy will prevent enough sunlight to attain 18 inches in the tree. Opening up the canopy of the tree allows for proper movement of air to permit speed in drying to minimize infection and invite penetration of pesticides. A perfectly shaped fruit tree could be a beautiful asset to a garden or landscaping.

Before pruning has always been the technique in forming and structuring fruit trees. Tree training is a more desirable and effective solution to enhance the structure and form. Pruning is simply the removal of portions of a tree that correct the structure; training is really a newer application where in fact the direction of the growth to a desired form and shape is set. Training a fruit tree is important for proper development. It is always better to train the direction of the growth than to prune to correct it. Pruning is usually done in the winter while training and pruning is done in summer and pruning in dormancy. The objective of training would be to correct the growth of a tree in addition to to minimize cutting.

Trees respond differently to summer pruning and dormant pruning. In the fall the power of the tree is stored in the main and trunk system to support the top section. If removal of a large part of the tree is performed during dormancy, the tree's energy isn't changed. In the spring, the tree will react by producing many upright, energetic shoots called water sprouts; these will shade the tree and prevent good development. Heavy pruning during dormancy causes exactly the same problem.


Dormant tree pruning needs to be done late in the growing season in order to avoid winter injury. Apple and pecan trees need pruning before peach tree pruning, plum-tree pruning and cherry tree pruning. A practice is to prune early blooming trees last and the later blooming trees first. It is advisable to prune the older trees first as the younger ones are prone to winter injury with early pruning. Summer pruning reduces most of the tree's energy that will bring about tree growth reduction. Pruning will start as soon as the buds start growing, but usually it begins after the growth of vegetation is several inches long. In most cases summer pruning is to remove vigorous and upright growth and only the cuts that may do some thinning. Arborist Wanstead has to be completed prior to the end of July to be able to lower any problems of winter injury.