Properly pruning your trees can make all the difference in their health and appearance. It can help your trees to grow correctly and will encourage bloom and fruit production. Pruning also helps to prevent unhealthy or dead limbs from falling and damaging property. Timing is important when pruning, and there are pros and cons to pruning in the summer months.

Advantages of Pruning in Warmer Weather

Most pruning occurs during fall and winter when tree growth is considered dormant. However, many trees will benefit from warm weather pruning as long as you focus on specific outcomes. Avoid pruning in extremely hot and dry times of the year to prevent stress on the trees. You will need to make sure the time you select to prune allows your trees opportunity to recover and heal before the dormant season.

Shaping the Tree

Warmer weather is a great time to focus on the desired form you want your trees to achieve during growth. Pruning to encourage shape and proper structure during growth months can help reach the overall aesthetic you want to create for your property.

Removing Branches

Any dead or damaged branches can be removed during warmer months to promote proper growth. Additionally, removing branches that show signs of disease lessens the risk of it spreading to the rest of the tree.

Cons of Pruning Trees in Warmer Months

Pruning in warm weather also comes with some drawbacks that you need to consider.

More Vulnerable to Insects

Insects are abundant during warmer months. If tree branches are cut during this time, they become more vulnerable to insects that can damage the trees as well as spread bacteria and fungal disease.

Not as Easy to Identify Trouble Spots

In warm weather, foliage can hide some problem areas. If you wait until trees have lost most of their leaves during the dormant months, it is easier to identify damaged limbs and improper growth structure. Arborists will be able to make more precise cuts and avoid unnecessary injury to the trees.

Dormant Months Allow for Better Healing

Although beneficial, the act of pruning actually injures the tree. Areas of pruning will need time to heal before harsh winter weather. While trees would have time to heal during warmer weather, they also have a healing advantage during dormant months. The tree is already at rest and is not growing. Pruning during this time is less stressful on the tree and results in more prosperous growth.

At Five Star Professional Services LLC, we understand how important beautiful trees are to the health and beauty of your home. We utilize state of the art equipment to ensure your trees are properly maintained, and we will treat your property as if it were our own. If you are looking for tree pruning services in the Kalamazoo, MI area, give us a call.