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Pruning Trees
6/3/20262 min read
January Gardening Tips
A Service of the Sabine Master Gardeners
Pruning Trees
Louisiana Arbor Day, a time to encourage tree planting and care, is observed on the third Friday in January each year. Once you have selected your tree, whether for shade, fruit, beauty, or wildlife, and carefully planted it in just the right place, you will need to care for it. In addition to water, fertilizer, and placement, pruning will likely be necessary at some point, and January is often the best month.
The type of tree you are pruning will determine the best time to do this. Fruit trees such as apples, pears, and peaches are best pruned in January or no later than February. Pruning fruit trees is something that is done throughout the lifecycle of the tree and is specific to the species. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (www.lsuagcenter.com) offers the free publication, “The Louisiana Home Orchard: Deciduous Tree Fruits”, that includes specific information about fruit tree pruning. Most ornamental and shade trees should also be pruned in January. The exceptions are spring-flowering trees such as dogwood and redbud trees; wait until they have completed their flowering to prune those.
What you want to accomplish with a tree will determine the type of pruning you will do. The health of the tree is your first consideration so dead, dying, diseased, and damaged limbs should always be removed. Do not wait to do this, as these limbs will harm the health of the tree. If you think the tree has freeze damage, wait to determine if it is truly damaged or dead before pruning. In general, thinning is the goal when pruning trees. Thinning conforms to the natural branching habit of the tree and strengthens the tree by forcing diameter growth of the remaining branches. Maintain the integrity of the central leader or trunk and thin limbs back to an intersecting branch or the trunk to allow air flow. Cut limbs that touch each other. Topping trees is not recommended. It may shorten the life of the tree and the new growth is generally weakened.
Proper tools and cutting techniques are important when pruning. Shears and saws should be sharp, well maintained, and clean. To cut a limb that can’t be done with shears, first cut from the bottom of the limb 6 to 8 inches from the trunk about one-quarter of the way through. Then a few inches out from the first cut, saw the top of the limb until it falls away. For the last cut locate the branch bark ridge, or collar, that runs at an angle from where the branch joins the trunk. Position your saw at the top of the stub just outside of the ridge and saw downward staying just outside of the collar. This technique will minimize decay and leave the bark intact. There is no need to apply pruning paint to the cut. To cut back to a bud, choose a healthy bud that is pointing in the direction you want to encourage growth. Using your pruning shears, cut at a 45° angle sloping away from the bud. The lowest point of the cut should be on the opposite side and even with the bud.
Proper pruning is an easy way to ensure the health and productivity of our trees. January is the time to clean up your tools and treat your trees to a trim. Please visit www.lsuagcenter.com for free catalog publications on caring for your trees as well as many other lawn and garden topics.