When Do You Prune Trees & Shrubs

One of the questions we are asked most frequently is: when is the best time to prune trees and shrubs?  In this article, we’ll provide you with the answers, including when to call professionals like us.

How Do You Know When is the Best Time to Prune Trees and Shrubs

When answering questions like when is the best time to prune trees and shrubs (especially in Queensland climates), there are a few things you need to know beforehand.

Ultimately, it comes down to a couple of factors, including:

• The type of tree or shrub you have – this will go a long way in determining the answer to the question when do you prune trees and shrubs
• Whether you can do so safely (or, to put it more succinctly, when to call professionals like the team at Affordable Tree Service  to assist with pruning trees and shrubs on your property).

So When Do You Prune Trees and Shrubs?

There is some debate amongst professionals over the actual answer to the question “when is the best time to  prune trees and shrubs?” as it often depends on the type of tree or shrub you have, like we said above. The general consensus, however,  is that the best time to prune is in either winter or summer.

To break it down a little further, we’ve gone into exactly when in these particular seasons you should attempt to prune.

When is the Best Time to Prune Trees and Shrubs in Winter?

Winter is often the best time to prune most trees and shrubs, when the plants are dormant.

Occasionally, you can get away with pruning shrubs and trees in early Spring but it’s best avoided, as you want to do most of your pruning and maintenance after the plant has finished flowering.

When is the Best Time to Prune Trees and Shrubs in Summer?

While most of the advice suggests shrubs and trees are best pruned in winter, there are some plants that thrive on being pruned in late summer, when the weather has started to cool down significantly. This is especially true of the following plants:

• Vine-like shrubs
• Hedges
• Summer flowering perennials
• Summer fruit trees

There are, however, some exceptions to this rule, which is why it’s often up for debate on whether or not there is actually a one best time to prune trees and shrubs. Stone fruit trees, for example, are best pruned in autumn, or after harvesting to maintain the plant’s health and encourage new growth.

When to Call in the Experts

Trees and shrubs, as with all living entities, can be finicky. There is no one hard and fast rule that covers all types of trees and shrubs, especially when it comes to answering the question, “when is the best time to prune trees and shrubs?”. That’s why we’re here to help.

If you’re still having trouble answering the question when do you prune trees and shrubs (or you’re not confident in your ability to effectively prune shrubs and trees on your property), it’s best to leave it to the experts.

For more individualised advice on how to answer the question when do you prune your trees and shrubs, contact Affordable Tree Service today for an obligation free quote or to book an appointment.