Spring is back again, and it’s time to show a little love to your trees to have them look their best. When it comes to how and when to prune a tree, however, where do you start? There’s more to how to prune trees than lopping off branches on a whim. In fact, without an understanding of how to do it properly, you could end up causing major harm to your tree and hurt your curb appeal or backyard space.

Let’s take a look at how to prune a tree, what that means, as well as some tips and safety precautions to consider along the way. Whether you plan to try it on your own or want to leave it to professionals, understanding the process is undoubtedly beneficial for everyone.

What Is Tree Pruning?

First of all, what is tree pruning? The reason to learn how to prune a tree or have it done professionally is to remove parts that may be harmful to the overall health and structure. This can be branches, stems, flowers, or even offshoots that have sprouted naturally against the primary structure of your tree. When done properly, it will help stimulate future growth, foliage, and blooms with a reduced risk of disease or other harmful factors.

Pruning vs Trimming: What’s the Difference?

Now that we’ve answered the question, “what is pruning a tree?”, what’s the deal with trimming? Isn’t that the same thing? 

Though many folks use the terms interchangeably, they’re not the same and serve different purposes.

While how to prune a tree and trimming one down sound like two sides of the same coin, their subtle difference is in intention. Pruning a tree is about promoting healthy growth and supporting the overall structure of your tree. On the other hand, trimming a tree is more about aesthetics, using the removal of overgrowth to help shape the canopy or limit the size of trees for front yard curb appeal.

When to Prune a Tree

An important part of learning how to prune a tree is knowing the best time to do it. In most cases, the best time for when to prune a tree is in late winter or early spring. During these times, trees are mostly dormant, making it unlikely you’ll prune back any new growth and pose less risk of causing harm to the tree itself.

If you’re pruning a tree in spring, do so before the temperatures rise too high and in time to remove dead or diseased branches and stems before they have a chance to negatively impact new spring growth. That being said, be sure to prune any diseased branches you see as you notice them, regardless of the time of year.

How to Prune a Tree

The best method for how to prune a tree depends on what you’re cutting and removing. In fact, the first rule for how to prune trees is less is more. Don’t assess as you go, or you may end up harming your tree and leaving it susceptible to pests and disease. Instead, take the time to determine what needs to be removed for your tree to thrive this year. This assessment is most easily done by professional tree services, but the more you do it, the better at it you’ll become.

When learning how to prune a tree branch, follow these steps:

1. Cut the underside of the branch: Start your pruning on the underside of the branch, roughly 18 inches from its base, when possible. This cut should be at a 45-degree angle and stop at the midway point of the branch diameter.
2. Begin cutting the top side of the branch: Topside cuts on branches should begin about an inch further out than underside cuts. It should also be at a 45-degree angle to prevent water from pooling in the wound when the branch is removed, which could cause disease or rot. Cut through until the branch falls, ensuring there is no one in harm’s way below.
3. Address the trunk’s branch collar: While it may sound like a strange term, the trunk’s branch collar is a slight swelling covered in dark bark. Cut this part at a 45-degree angle to stimulate faster healing.

Aftercare: After you’re finished pruning your trees, it’s important to give them a thorough watering to help initiate the healing process. Cutting limbs at the proper 45-degree angles should prevent any water buildup that could result in rot or disease. 

Continue to water the tree regularly to prevent any water stress as new shoots stem from the areas where you pruned it.

Benefits of Pruning a Tree

Wondering why it’s essential to learn how to prune a tree or have professionals come in as part of your annual landscaping maintenance? Regular tree pruning is vital to its overall growth and longevity. The goals for how to prune a tree are to:

• Remove dead or diseased branches: This can be done at any time of year, though early in the season is best. Pruning dead or diseased branches keeps them from spreading to other parts of the tree and keeps your tree from expending energy to unfruitful areas.
• Support a strong tree structure: Pruning branches that cross or grow incorrectly (inward or downward) keeps the core of your tree strong. A strong structure is essential for continued growth. Trees growing in on themselves are at a higher risk for disease or rot. You may also consider corrective pruning for trees growing with v-shaped trunks unless they’re a species that can do so effectively.
• Get rid of suckers: These are long shoots at the base of your tree that may stem up near the roots. They’re natural offshoots from the tree itself, which may drop seeds as a form of survival. As the name suggests, however, these shoots are energy suckers for the primary tree and can weaken it over time. Wait until they’re about 6 to 12 inches tall then remove them by cutting them at the base. 
• Stimulate new growth: Removing old stems, dead branches, and diseased spots on your tree all serve to stimulate new growth as spring and summer roll around. These new shoots need a healthy environment to thrive, which is why pruning during the winter or early spring is most often encouraged.

Pruning Tools for Trees

You spent the time and effort ensuring you chose the best trees to plant in Upstate NY, now make sure you’re taking care of them with the proper pruning tools for trees in your yard. Some of the most common pruning tools you may need include:

• Hand shears: Ideal for smaller trees with branches up to a quarter-inch in diameter.
• Lopping shears: Suitable for slightly larger trees and branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
• Pole pruners: Helpful for reaching high, out-of-reach branches safely.
• Pruning saws: Larger pruning tools meant for branches too big for lopping shears.
• Chainsaws: For the largest of jobs, especially cutting off thick branches with minimal effort.

Tree Pruning Tips and Safety

Last up in our guide on how to prune a tree properly, let’s take a peek at some tree pruning tips and safety suggestions.

Pruning Tips

A simple list of pruning tips includes:

• For v-shaped trunk growth, consider corrective pruning to remove one stem while the tree is very young. Not all species require this, so check with a professional.
• Deadhead previous blooms to stimulate new growth and fresh blooms this year.
• Prune trees in winter or early spring for the best protection and minimal risk.
• You can safely remove dead or diseased branches at any time.
• Try to prune no more than ⅓ of the branches that produce new growths each year.
• If branches rub one another, remove one.
• Remove suckers at their base to strengthen your tree.
• Prune lower limbs to expose more of the trunk.

Tree Pruning Safety Checklist

Before you start determining how to prune a tree in your yard, be sure to consider all these safety factors:

• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and gloves.
• Assess any potential hazards before you start.
• Avoid pruning trees near any power lines.
• Practice fall protection and climbing techniques.
• Keep all drop zones clear and marked for any potential passersby.
• Use the right tools for how to prune trees.

There’s so much more to how to prune a tree than going in and hacking away. Without knowing what you’re doing, you run the risk of harming the tree or injuring yourself and others. When in doubt, it’s always best to contact landscaping professionals to ensure your job is done safely and correctly.

Already finished pruning your tree this year? Take your yard to the next level with our guide to landscaping around trees next!

When you’re ready to plant new trees this spring, contact NVS Landscapes and let us take that project off your hands. You’ll never have to lift a finger!