Pruning Your Trees

There are a number of things to consider before getting the saw and pruner ready. Tree pruning impacts trees in many ways, such as causing a risk of decay through open wounds, loss of food-producing leaves for growth, and redirection of growth by reducing competing branches. There should be a reason for pruning a branch or branches from a tree.

Pruning trees when they are young mimics the results of natural competition if a tree was growing in the woods, where trees typically develop a dominant central leader, small-diameter lower branches, and the majority of growth is directed to the upper portions of the crown to compete for essential sunlight. Trees pruned in the early years of their life require much less pruning as they get older.

Tree Species

Many tree species can be pruned any time of the year. Some species, such as oak, are very susceptible to disease infection through a pruning wound made during the growing season. Some experts recommend not to prune two weeks prior to and after bud break in spring due to physiological processes occurring inside the tree at that time. The dormant season (late October through March) is the safest period for pruning oak, elm, and fruit trees, since insects and diseases are not active at that time of year. Following are some general guidelines to help guide which branches should be removed from your tree(s): 

• Make pruning cuts next to a branch collar or bud, and don’t leave branch stubs.
• Prune trees to develop one central dominant leader (very important in early years). 
• Pruning paint should only be used on oak, elm, and fruit trees during the growing season to seal out disease.
• Remove dead and broken branches, branches growing toward the center of the tree, and rubbing branches. 
• Remove the lowest branches for ease of walking underneath or mowing.  
• The amount of live branch material removed should be no more than 20-25% of the total crown mass. 
• Trees do not need to be trimmed each year, but often enough to address the above needs. 
• Young trees require frequent pruning, say every 3-5 years. Middle-aged trees usually require a longer pruning cycle and less live branch removal. Pruning on mature trees should focus on dead, rubbing, and broken branches, and minimize removal of live branches. 

Tree Workers

The Apple Valley Code of Ordinances requires tree workers to be licensed for all tree work performed in the City of Apple Valley (152.43). If you have any questions call the Natural Resources Division at (952) 953-2461.