Trees and shrubs need to be pruned for so many reasons. Overgrown branches, improving the shape, removing dead branches are the most common reasons to cut back trees and shrubs. When considering pruning, timing plays an important role in determining whether the results are good or harmful. Many people have heard this the best time to cut back trees in your landscape design in Sacramento’s home is winter and late spring.
But, that’s not the case with all trees and shrubs. Most trees are benefited from winter or late spring pruning, while some shrubs and trees can experience harm or serious damage.
The best time to prune a tree or shrub can be determined after you know what type of shrub or tree it is.
Here are the best tips to understand what time is best for your shrubs and trees to cut them back:
Proper timing for Shrubs
.Spring-flowering shrubs
These shrubs such as lilac, forsythia, jasmine, rosemary, honeysuckle, and quince should be pruned once they have flowered. Usually, late spring is considered the best time to prune spring-flowering shrubs. Cutting them back before they have bloomed can risk removing the flower buds. The best time for them is after flowering. In case, the shrub has overgrown and needs to be reduced, rejuvenating pruning can be done in later winter or early spring. Make sure you don’t do heavy pruning as it can be detrimental for these shrubs.
.Hedges
Late winter, mid-to-late summer, or early spring are the best times to cut back hedges.
Proper timing for Trees
Dead and damaged branches or limbs
If a tree has dead or damaged branches, the best time to cut them is in winter as they are dormant during this time.
Pruning in the dormant season is beneficial because trees heal faster, trees are at lesser risk of pest invasion or sap flowing.
No matter what time of year it is, a dead and diseased limb needs tree removal or pruning. It is done to prevent tree disease and tree removal in Sacramento. It is also required to stimulate growth from the area which is not dead or diseased.
Some trees may need removal instead of trimming and pruning for safety reasons. It’s best to contact an arborist to find out if you need tree removal or tree trimming and the tree removal cost will be decided after evaluation of your tree by the arborist.
Evergreen Trees
Pine, fir, spruce is the evergreen trees that are best pruned in later winter. Although trees such as spruce and fir can be cut back to side limb and sideways bud in early spring.
Spring blooming trees
Just like spring-blooming shrubs, don’t prune trees that will bloom in spring. Wait until they have bloomed or have flowered. Some of the spring-blooming trees are cherry, dogwood, redbud, and pear.
Summer blooming trees
You can prune summer-blooming trees in the dormant season(late winter).
Trees that can be pruned any time
- If you have a tree with weakened branches in your yard, it needs tree trimming in Sacramento before any strong storm or hurricane comes. Weak branches need to be removed to prevent anyone from getting injured if the branches fall due to a hurricane or storm.
- You can trim and prune small tree limbs any time of the year.
- Rejuvenation pruning can be done for hedges at any time.
