Trees get stressed when they are dehydrated. Robbing them of their reserves of moisture by pruning away foliage can cause major decline or death during hot dry months.
The ideal time for tree pruning is between mid-February and early May, during the early spring season. Trees pruned during this period develop a callous around the cuts at a faster rate than those pruned at other times of the year. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Maples, walnuts, birches, beeches, hornbeams, and yellowwood are known as “bleeders”. The “bleeding” may be unsightly, but it does not harm the tree. Bleeding results from copious sap flow and can be avoided by delaying pruning until after the foliage has fully emerged. Spring flowering trees should be pruned after flowers have dropped. To avoid the introduction of disease pathogens, avoid pruning between April 15 and October 15.
Please be aware that storm damaged limbs, dead limbs, and limbs causing obstruction hazards shall still be removed as necessary for public safety.
