2 Mistakes To Avoid When Trying To Time The Pruning Of Your Flowering Trees
Posted on: 18 July 2017
If your flowering trees have started to grow unruly, you may decide that you should prune them back to give them a more even, uniform appearance. However, when trying to find the right time to perform this task, keep in mind the following two mistakes you should avoid when pruning your flowering trees.
Cutting Any Branches with Buds or Flowers on Them
While looking at your trees when they have buds growing on the branches or flowers already blooming, you may be tempted to find any branches that do not appear to be producing and cut them off. However, this is the worst possible time for cutting any branches on a flowering tree.
When a tree is producing buds or flowers, it is fully active in its growth. Extra nutrients and water are being delivered to all of the branches to make those beautiful flowers you love so much bloom.
However, if you prune during this time period, those nutrients are turned away from flower production and used to heal the tree where the cuts were made. Not only will you have fewer flowers that do not last as long, the shock of the cuts could greatly affect the growth of the tree for the next year.
Instead of cutting away any unwanted branches while the tree is blooming, make note of the ones you want to cut. Then, wait until the flowers have faded before you prune. There will still be enough nutrients to heal the tree. However, you will not be robbing any flowers of what they need to bloom.
Pruning the Trees in Autumn
On the flip side of pruning your trees in the spring, you may decide that autumn may be the right time to shape them so they grow the way you want them in the upcoming spring. However, this is another mistake you should avoid making.
In the fall, the trees are getting ready for their long dormancy during the winter months. While they are shedding their leaves, the trees are storing nutrients that will sustain them while they go to sleep.
However, if you prune them while the trees are making their winter preparations, once again, the nutrients are redirected to healing the cuts you make on the trees. Without all of the properly stored nutrients before they go dormant, the trees may not grow as well during the spring or may die during wintertime.
Avoiding the above mistakes can help keep your trees healthy after you cut them back. However, if you are still uncertain about how to time the pruning of your flowering trees, contact a tree service, such as Tielis Tree Service, to discuss your options for having them prune and maintain your flowering trees for you.
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