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Late winter is ideal, but if you’re pruning apple trees in the spring, prune them as early as possible in the season. You want to ensure your tree is just creeping out of dormancy and hasn’t started pushing out new growth. If you prune your tree too late into spring, you generally won’t see results until the following year.

That said, there’s no pruning season for unhealthy growth. Remove dead, dying, or diseased branches as soon as you notice them, regardless of the time of year.

Most experts recommend removing a tree that has sustained more than 25% loss in the limbs, trunk, or circumference of the bark. Doing an initial trimming of damaged and dangling branches, but then waiting a few days of monitoring to decide how much more you might need to cut can help you better assess the total damage to the tree. However, consulting a tree maintenance pro to make this determination the best course of action before removing a tree.

If tree branches cross well into your property line, in many cases, these branches become part of your property, and you can trim them up until your neighbor’s property line. However, this issue will vary based on local ordinances, so you should do your research before making any decisions. Better yet, speak with your neighbor about how to handle any tree issues. 

If you don’t mind the branches, you can leave them be, but if they’re becoming a hazard, it’s definitely worth having a conversation.

If it’s your property, then you can plant a tree near power lines, but it’s not the best idea. Any vegetation that grows within 10 feet or so of power lines will fall under the responsibility of the utility company, and they may trim or remove it as necessary. If you do move forward with your plan, try to choose a smaller ornamental tree, plant it as far away from the power lines as you can, and keep it trimmed to avoid future problems.