Q: Can I prune apple trees in the spring?

• <div><p>Late winter is ideal, but if you&rsquo;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&rsquo;t started pushing out new growth. If you prune your tree too late into spring, you generally won&rsquo;t see results until the following year.</p><p>That said, there&rsquo;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.</p></div>

Question 1

Can I prune apple trees in the spring?

Accepted Answer

•

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.

Question 2

How much pruning do ornamental trees need?

Accepted Answer

•

You should prune ornamental trees once every other year after the fruit has matured and begun to drop. You should also prune out dead branches whenever you see them. Pruning too often can stimulate more growth, especially in faster growing varieties like Bradford pears.

Question 3

How can I tell if a palm tree is dying?

Accepted Answer

•

When a palm tree no longer produces new fronds and old fronds start turning yellow-brown, that’s a sign the tree is dying. However, transplanted palm trees can show these signs for the first several months as they re-establish themselves. It’s best to keep watering and not give up on the palm tree until a couple of seasons have passed and you’re sure it’s not coming back to life.

Question 4

What is the best time of year to cut down a tree?

Accepted Answer

•

The best time to cut down a tree is during its dormant season, typically in winter or early spring, after all the leaves have fallen. Removing a tree during this period is advantageous for several reasons. Frozen ground helps secure the tree stump, protects the surrounding landscape from damage, and reduces the risk of the tree falling in an unintended direction. With the leaves gone, there is less risk of the tree's foliage getting tangled with other trees. Additionally, since this is often a slower season for tree services, you may be able to hire a professional at a lower rate. This dormant period is also the best time for tree trimming.

Question 5

How do you make a tree fall the opposite way it is leaning?

Accepted Answer

•

For safety reasons, leaning trees are best removed by a professional, as they may often tear away from the hinge, causing you to lose control over where the tree falls. If you choose to cut down a tree leaning slightly, avoid cutting off root protrusions before you start. Make your hinge a little longer than usual by cutting it deeper (up to 30% of the diameter) and applying a wedge into the felling cut on the side the tree is leaning. Stand away from the direction the tree leans while making your felling cut.