Spring Pruning Young Trees – Oaks, Holly’s, Magnolias and Deciduous Trees

Young trees are frequently overlooked for the first few years of their life, and many people wait until the trees are large enough to cause problems before they think to prune them. However, pruning is just as important for young or small trees as it is for large, mature shade trees. This establishes a strong structure that prevents future problems associated with poor or neglected maintenance. Additionally, it can expedite tree growth by focusing energy on what remains after pruning.

To ensure the successful growth of young trees, we aim to achieve three key objectives:

• Maintain a single, central leading branch
• Establish a cone-shaped canopy
• Remove or significantly reduce the size of any branches that exceed ⅓ of the main trunk’s diameter

Follow these steps to prune your trees correctly:

1. Choose the Right Time
   1. Best Time: Later winter before new growth begins. Additionally, for evergreens you can prune again in mid summer. 
   2. Avoid: Mid spring and fall pruning as it can attract pests.
2. Gather Your Tools
   1. Hand pruners for small branches
   2. Loppers for medium-sized branches
   3. Pruning saw if you are working with a more established and older tree
   4. Step stool or ladder to reach the top
   5. Trash bin or burlap bag to discard trimmings
3. Make a Plan
   1. Study the tree and identify the central leader. This is usually the tip of the tree, but occasionally has competing leaders. Choose just ONE!
   2. Find the half way point of the tree. Anything below this point will be reduced by 50%, and above this point will be shaped into a cone.
   3. Identify any branches that are more than ⅓ the diameter of the main trunk
4. How to Make Proper Cuts
   1. Make sure all cutting tools are sharp
   2. For whole branch removal locate the branch collar (the slightly swollen area where the branch meets the trunk) and make a clean cut just outside the collar.
   3. Cut at a 45 degree angle when possible
   4. Trying cutting back to a node, leaf or bud of new growth
5. What to Prune
   1. Dead, diseased, or damaged branches: Remove these first to better see the true existing structure of the tree.
   2. Crossing or rubbing branches: Remove these next to improve structure before shaping begins.
   3. Cut back branches larger than ⅓ the diameter by at least 50%. Severe cases may see as much as 75% removal.
   4. Eliminate competing leaders: Eliminate any competing leaders, so that only one main leader remains.
   5. Shape the canopy into a cone: Next, we will use tip pruning to shape the canopy into a cone that widens gradually from the top to the halfway point.
   6. Reduce lower canopy branches by half: To maintain photosynthesis while slowing branch growth, reduce the lower canopy branches by half. Over the years these branches will be eliminated but until then, provide much needed photosynthetic power to the trunk and root system.
6. Additional Tips
   1. Prune conservatively, never remove more than ⅓ of the trees foliage
   2. Encourage branching that meets the main trunk at a 90 degree union
   3. “V” shaped unions should be eliminated or reduced
   4. Have fun and maintain branches that may create aesthetic appeal in the future.

Thats it! And you should not have to do much more until the next year.