One of the most important things about tree maintenance is pruning. However, it’s not a simple thing to do, and there are many factors to consider before you start doing so. One of these factors includes pruning before spring, and March is the best time to prune your trees in preparation for blooming.
But since it is also a transition from one season to another, here are some dos and don’ts of tree pruning in March.
What to do when pruning in March
Since one of the best times to prune trees is when they don’t have many leaves, March is the ideal time to do so. Besides, when trees don’t have a lot of leaves, you can easily spot damage and diseases. So, when you decide to prune trees in March, here are some of the things you should do:
1. Prune Before Buds Fully Develop
Early March, or before the buds are fully developed, is the ideal time for pruning trees. It’s also the time when trees are dormant. During this time, the trees are less stressed, wounds heal faster, and the attraction of pests minimises due to reduced sap.
So, if you’re planning the pruning schedule of your trees, ensure to include March as one of them.
2. Remove Dead or Damaged Branches
Before you start pruning, remove dead, weak, and diseased tree branches. In doing so, you can prevent the diseases from spreading, and also minimise the risks of attracting other diseases and pests.
Besides, even if it’s not pruning season, ideally, damaged limbs should be removed to ensure the trees are healthy.
3. Shape and Structure Young Trees
Are you taking care of young trees? It’s essential to prune them properly as early as possible to guide their shape and structure. So, if the trees can already be pruned, and it’s March, you can never find a better time than this. However, you should first learn the ideal ways to prune young trees if you’re not hiring an arborist.
4. Use Sharp, Clean Tools
Before you start cutting any part of the trees, make sure that the tools you’re going to use are clean and sharp. If not, there’s a risk of pest infestation and diseases. So before and after using your pruning tools, always clean and store them properly.
5. Cut less than one-third of the branches
Whether the tree is young or old, cutting more than a third of its branch can weaken its health. Usually, cutting trees more than the ideal length can result in getting stressed or being prone to diseases. So, as part of the planning process, ensure to limit the length of branches you’re going to cut. If it’s your first time, you can measure and mark the tree branches you’re planning to cut.
6. Call an Arborist for Assistance
Maintaining trees should be done regularly, and you may not be available at all times. Fortunately, nowadays, you can easily hire an arborist for your tree pruning needs. Aside from their knowledge and expertise, they also have the right tools and equipment to ensure that your trees are safe and healthy. At the same time, they can easily spot certain tree conditions that may need special care.
What not to do when pruning in March
Aside from the things you should do, there are also things you should avoid when pruning trees in March. Here are some of the things to keep in mind:
1. Don’t Prune Spring-Flowering Trees Too Early
Not all trees are the same, so if you have various tree species around, you should know when they develop their flowers. Spring-flowering trees shouldn’t be pruned too early since there’s a possibility that their buds may be removed, and the blooming may be reduced.
2. Avoid Heavy Pruning of Mature Trees, and Don’t Prune Newly Planted Ones
As mentioned, pruning more than one-third of a branch can harm the tree in many ways. For instance, if there are fewer branches, the trees can be exposed to too much sunlight, which may cause sunburn and stress.
At the same time, it’s not recommended to prune newly planted trees as they still need to adjust to their new environment, and also need to develop and improve their strength.
3. Don’t Leave Large Stubs
Another thing you should avoid is leaving large stubs, which can cause diseases, and attract pests. So, when pruning trees, always cut near the branch collar, so that it can heal faster. In addition, trees have their natural way of defence against decay, so you should be aware of the proper pruning techniques before starting pruning.
4. Avoid Topping Trees
In some cases, tree owners would like to reduce the height of trees. However, topping them isn’t the best way to do so. Instead, topping trees can be a dangerous thing to do, which can harm the tree and result in decay.
5. Don’t Ignore the Weather
Although March is known for having unpredictable weather, you shouldn’t ignore the weather’s impact on pruned trees. In some cases, there are days when the temperature is too low, which can cause frost damage, while extreme heat may result in losing excess water.
Final Thoughts
Pruning in March can be one of the best times to do so. However, you should still follow the best practises for better results.
Let us know if these tips help you navigate the tree pruning techniques by commenting below!
