Pruning is an essential upkeep that alters both the appearance and the growth of a plant. You should prune a tree to help remove dying branches and/or limbs injured by disease, insect infestation, branch stubs, and also shape trees, and encourage flowering.
While most trees can be pruned throughout the entire year, there are some exceptions. Here are some trees that you should prune now (March).
- Oak Trees
- Elm Trees
- Apples Trees
- Ornamental Trees
- Grasses
Oak Trees – Both oak and elm trees can suffer severely if not pruned and maintained properly. Oak wilt is an extremely destructive disease found in oaks, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, most commonly spread from tree to tree by beetles. When oak wilt is alive within a tree, new infection is spread when these beetles carry the infected fungal spores to open “wounds” on healthy oaks. Because of this, March is a great time to prune your oaks. It is important to avoid pruning oaks in spring.
Elm Trees – Like oak wilt disease, Dutch elm disease is also caused by fungus called Ceratocystis ulmi, and is also spread by beetles that carry the fungus from elm to elm. Dutch elm disease can also be spread through root splicing with infected trees. Since elm bark beetles are attracted to fresh tree wounds, it is essential that pruning is done before the end of March, when the beetles are not in their active stage.
Apple Trees – The best time to prune fruit trees is during their dormant phase. Proper pruning yearly is key in the healthy growth of the harvest each year. By pruning an apple tree, the tree’s canopy is open to sunlight and proper air circulation, which promotes the growth of the fruit. Pruning of your apple tree should be done in late winter to help stimulate growth for the spring.
Ornamental Trees – Some examples of ornamental trees are Magnolia, Flowering Cherry, Dogwood, and Japanese Maple. Pruning on such trees is most commonly for the purpose of enhancing natural branching patterns, redirecting energy, and reducing the overall density. March is a great time for a major cleaning and thinning of these trees, prior to the first spring buds.
Grasses – If you were unable to cut your grasses back in the fall, it is important to cut them now to a length within 10 inches of the ground. This will allow for new growth to push up this spring.
Generally, pruning is an extremely important part of a plant’s life cycle, and health. When it comes to the specific trees mentioned above, pruning properly is extra crucial because your tree’s health is dependent on it. Because of this, it is encouraged to use a professional tree service for their pruning and maintenance. If not pruned correctly, and at the right time of year, the tree could suffer from diseases, or their growth/harvest could be stunted. If you have any of these trees on your property, now is the time to prune them! With the weather being such a roller coaster this season, timing is even more crucial, because the window of time before these plants begin to bud is limited, and unpredictable. Contact Red Cedar today to have your oak, elm, apple, and ornamental trees and grasses pruned now, before spring!