Like many other gardening activities, pruning is a cross between science and art; there's an element of skill in creating the right look, and the cuts have to be skilful - a little like a surgeon's scalpel.
It's never wise to rush in with the secateurs or pruning shears, hacking away randomly at twigs and branches; this can spell disaster for your poor tree or shrub! Instead, we suggest a careful, calculated approach for the best results.
The issue of when to make the cuts is just as important, and this pops up frequently when customers get in touch asking us about the best time to prune trees.
As specialists in arboriculture, Tree Surgeon Pro loves answering your queries and offering advice, so we thought it might be good to put together a blog post on the subject.
Before we get to the 'when', let's explore the 'why' to see if tree pruning is necessary and whether it's a good thing!
Expert opinions differ on this point, but - generally speaking - arborists and tree specialists agree that regular pruning can improve the health of your trees in the long term. When comparing tree topping vs pruning, it's clear that pruning is the healthier option, as it involves selective cuts to promote growth, while topping can harm the tree by removing too much of the canopy.
Of course, this is up to you. If you prefer to leave nature to take care of things, that's fine, but it's worth considering the benefits first, such as:
Removing damaged dead or diseased branches gives your trees a real boost, as weakened branches can drain the tree’s energy and even become breeding grounds for pests and fungi.
Pruning them allows the tree to redirect its resources to healthy branches, encouraging vibrant growth. Additionally, proper pruning techniques can improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, both of which are essential for the tree’s overall health. This helps the tree develop a strong, balanced structure that can cope with harsh weather conditions and support healthy foliage.
Overgrown or weak branches can be dangerous. During strong winds, heavy rain, or snow, these branches are more likely to snap and fall, posing a serious risk to people, buildings, and vehicles below.
Regular pruning helps reduce these risks by removing branches that are too heavy, growing in awkward directions, or showing signs of decay. It also ensures that branches don’t grow too close to power lines or your property, preventing future accidents. A tree that's pruned regularly is not only safer but also less likely to cause costly damage during adverse weather.
Proper pruning enhances a tree's natural beauty while keeping it manageable. Without pruning, trees can grow unevenly, with branches that cross over, rub against each other, or grow too close to the ground.
Over time, this can lead to a crowded, untidy appearance and even structural weaknesses. By shaping the tree with careful cuts, you can maintain its aesthetic appeal, whether it’s a small ornamental tree or a towering oak. Plus, shaping prevents the tree from outgrowing its space, ensuring it fits beautifully within your garden without encroaching on nearby plants, pathways, or buildings.
OK, now we've got a handle on why it's a good idea, we'll see what we can discover about the best time to cut trees back!
Sadly, there's no simple answer here. Much as we'd like to say summer pruning is best, or prune trees in early spring and all will be well, it's not as straightforward as that!
The truth is that the best time to prune trees will vary depending on the species, type, and age of the tree involved. When is the best time to prune trees in the UK? Generally, late winter or early spring is considered ideal for most species, as it avoids the risks associated with pruning during active growing periods.
Bearing this in mind, let's dive a little deeper...
As we know, trees are broadly split into two groups: Evergreens, which generally keep their leaves all year round, and deciduous trees which lose their leaves in winter. So, what's the difference when it comes to pruning? Here's a quick explanation:
It's best to do this during the dormant season, generally between late autumn to early spring, as this is when the tree's growth is slowed down and there's minimal sap flow. As the leaves have dropped, it's also easier to inspect the tree's structure.
Pruning during the dormant season reduces stress on the tree and minimises the risk of pests and diseases, which are less active in colder months.
However, there are a few exceptions:
Nevertheless, it's okay to get rid of dead or damaged branches at any time of the year to minimise hazards and risk of infection. You should also remove branches rubbing together, as this can provide an entry point for disease and weaken the branches.
Evergreens don't have a dormant season and will photosynthesise all through the year. The best time to prune them is between May and July (late spring to early summer), which is when they are actively growing. The pruning cuts will heal faster during this time, and there's minimal risk of shock or dieback.
Evergreens can also handle a light trim or selective pruning in late summer or early autumn, but don't overdo it! Heavy pruning at this time will produce new growth that won't have a chance to harden before winter, leaving them prone to frost damage.
Again, it's a good idea to remove dead branches or those showing signs of disease at any time of the year for safety reasons and to avoid the spread of infection.
Right, we know a little more, but what about the age of the tree? How does this affect pruning?
Let's find out!
Young trees are better at coping with pruning cuts than older ones, and this encourages new growth. Using proper pruning techniques encourages new branches, flowers and foliage and keeps the tree healthy. The best time to prune young trees is between November and March (the dormant season), and this is known as formative pruning as it determines the shape of the tree in later life and strengthens its framework.
For young evergreens, however, it's best to prune them in the active growing season between May and July.
Avoid pruning newly planted trees heavily in the first year, as the root system needs time to become established. Aside from this, annual pruning is ideal for about three to five years, after which this should be reduced to limit the stress on the tree.
Basically, the rules are similar; prune mature trees in the dormant season (November to March), but only do this every three years or so. Also, fewer pruning cuts should be made to limit the amount of stress caused.
If you're planning to prune large branches, we recommend cutting them off in small sections, as this is safer and avoids damaging the tree. The final cut should be made close to the branch collar without harming the trunk, as this can expose the tree to diseases and infections.
It's fine to lightly trim trees now and then to keep them tidy, but don't take too much off!
When is the worst time to prune trees in the UK? For both types of trees, late autumn or mid-winter is generally considered the worst time, as it can lead to excessive stress or potential damage, especially during periods of frost or harsh weather.
Right, you now have a better idea of when to prune trees, and we've learned that pruning offers several benefits - provided it's done correctly! And if you're wondering about the worst time to prune trees, you can learn all about this in our separate blog of the same name.
If you have any doubts, or you're tackling very tall trees, you might want to consider hiring a professional arborist or tree care specialist, like Tree Surgeon Pro. We can help with all kinds of pruning techniques, like crown thinning, crown lifting (removing lower branches), and crown reduction.
Our comprehensive range of tree care services covers all sectors, including commercial, industrial and private customers, as well as local authorities. Whether you need advice from a certified arborist or practical help from a professional tree surgeon, Tree Surgeon Pro has everything you need to keep your trees healthy, safe and well-maintained.
Whatever your tree care needs, call us today!
