When to prune trees?

Pruning is one of those jobs that, as long as it's done right, can be very useful for plants. You may think that it does not make much sense, because what is done is precisely removing green branches, that is, live ones. I thought that way, so I understand you 🙂, but you have to know that in nature the wind and even some animals are in charge of favoring the fall of the branches. As a consequence, the plants manage to rejuvenate themselves.

The problem is that humans have taken this practice to the extreme. The maintenance they give to the urban trees of various towns and cities around the world is a real shame. Because, to avoid problems I will explain to you when to prune trees, and I will also offer you some tips so that your plants continue to be as beautiful as ever.

When can they be pruned?

Pruning is a job that will consume the tree extra energy, since it will need it to heal the wounds as soon as possible. Because, must be carried out during the fall or towards the end of winter. But beware, there is an exception: tropical trees that are grown in temperate climates.

The Ficus, the Serissa,… the elimination of branches of these vegetal wonders has to be carried out when spring has already established, that is, in the month of April or May in the northern hemisphere.

Tips for responsible pruning

Now that we know when to prune, let's see how to do responsible pruning:

• It is important to respect the natural shape of the tree. For example, if your crown is rounded, we will keep it that way.
• Never remove more than necessary. In fact, the only thing that should be removed are dry, diseased or weak branches; the rest ... cut out. It is not a bonsai.
• Use proper tools: pruning shears for thin branches, saws for thicker ones. Remember to disinfect them before and after use with, for example, a few drops of dishwasher and water or pharmacy alcohol.
• There are trees that should not be pruned. The Delonix direction (flamboyan), the Celtis (hackberry), the Adansonia (baobab), Brachychiton, among others, not only recover badly from pruning but with it the beauty that characterizes them is removed.

What do you think of tree pruning? Do you agree with what is written in this article? 🙂