Proper Pruning Brings Tree Flowers

For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact Sonia Garth:
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Proper Pruning Brings Tree Flowers

CHAMPAIGN, IL -One of the surest signs that warm weather is here to stay is the new blooms and buds on the trees around us. The beauty that lights up our backyards and gardens needs special care to remain prosperous. Pruning flowering trees has its own challenges, but the reward is great - health and brilliance!

"Flowering trees such as the crabapple, dogwood, Japanese maple, and cherry often require more frequent pruning," said Dr. Bruce Fraedrich, vice president of research at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories.

Why is pruning necessary?

"These trees have a capacity for rapid growth, especially while they are young. They need to be pruned more often because they often grow in a confined space," Fraedrich said. Trees can be affected by dead, diseased, or broken branches. The removal of these branches improves the overall health and growth of the tree.

Pruning flowering trees may be important in keeping your surroundings safe. Some branches can interfere with power lines, and poorly attached branches should be removed to avoid injury or damage to property.

"Before you ever start pruning, you need to know what you want to accomplish and why," Fraedrich said. "Decide whether the intent is to reduce the tree's size for safety reasons or for health reasons."

When should you prune?

Pruning at the wrong time can create imbalances and unnecessary decline in your tree's health. Summer flowering occurs on the new wood produced in the spring, while spring flowering occurs on the wood produced during the summer growth. Pruning for summer flowering plants and trees should take place in the late fall, after summer blooms, to establish a healthy growing environment for new buds. Pruning for spring flowering plants should take place after the plants have bloomed in early spring. If the tree or shrub is less than two years old, only light pruning is needed.

Helpful Hints

Fraedrich, also an ISA Certified Arborist, warns against over-pruning small, flowering trees. "People see the need to reduce them severely, but a homeowner should prune annually and lightly instead of pruning large portions at once. If a tree does become overgrown, the best thing is to reduce size over time instead of trying to solve the problem all at once."

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) suggest that you also follow pruning practices such as to make cuts just outside the branch collar to increase the chances of proper wound closure, to avoid leaving stubs, and keep tools sharp and clean.

For more information on proper pruning methods and care of flowering trees, contact an ISA Certified Arborist, or visit www.treesaregood.org

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, IL, is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org. Also, as a part of ISA's dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com.