Tree Trimming | Trimming Trees and How to Trim a Tree

Trimming trees at the right time

You may have heard the old saying about tree trimming that goes something like this "Trim trees anytime your saw is sharp." This may be true when it comes to removing broken and dead branches, but in many cases timing is very important.

Most flowering trees set their blossoms the year before they bloom. Therefore, they won't bloom if these flower buds are trimmed off the tree. The best rule is to always trim flowering trees within 3 weeks of when they finish blooming. That should prevent you from inadvertently removing buds containing next year's flower show.

Removing this Weeping Cherry branch in the Fall of the year removes the branch AND the 'flower show' for next Spring

Severely cutting back major branches causes weak growth in the form of multiple branches that grow straight up, ruining the natural structure of the tree. These fast growing shoots are known as 'water sprouts.' Similar shoots, called 'suckers,' grow from the roots of some trees, especially Crabapples

This Silver Maple was 'Topped' a few years ago

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Tree Trimming | Trimming Trees and How to Trim a Tree