Tree help

[n2877]

I have a tree in my front yard that is in dire need to be trimmed. I was told by someone that came to spray my ash tree that it was a kind of crab apple and could only be trimmed during certain times of the year or it would develop some kind of I don't know infection that would cost an arm and leg to get rid of. Need help figuring out when I can and can't trim it. Thanks to any and all input. If needed I can take some pics of tree

[Hummer]

Horticulturally, pruning trees in summer is not the best practice. If necessary, you can prune trees any time but it's better to wait until they become dormant in late fall or winter after a month or so of frosts. Pruning during the growing season does open trees to a wide variety of insect pests and diseases that are better avoided. Cuts cause sap to flow out, sapping energy from the tree and attracting insects. Blight includes a number of bacterial infections that attack open wounds and can kill many species of trees, not just fruit bearing trees like apple, crabapple or miniature crab, and blight and fungal infections can be difficult and costly to treat.

Also, pruning trees during the bird nesting season is not good. This year I've twice rescued nestling birds where branches were cut from ash trees by clueless landscapers. In both cases I was able to save the nests by re attaching them to a nearby limb.

Wait until December to do major cuts with a thin bladed pruning saw, then follow up with good sharp loppers. Start from the top down. Stand back and look at the shape to determine what shape works best for the type of tree and location. Usually, just thinning will do the job by taking extra branches off the lateral limbs to bring light and health into the tree.

[rbeau30]

Can dead branches be removed at any time of the year or should we wait?

[n2877]

Horticulturally, pruning trees in summer is not the best practice. If necessary, you can prune trees any time but it's better to wait until they become dormant in late fall or winter after a month or so of frosts. Pruning during the growing season does open trees to a wide variety of insect pests and diseases that are better avoided. Cuts cause sap to flow out, sapping energy from the tree and attracting insects. Blight includes a number of bacterial infections that attack open wounds and can kill many species of trees, not just fruit bearing trees like apple, crabapple or miniature crab, and blight and fungal infections can be difficult and costly to treat.

Also, pruning trees during the bird nesting season is not good. This year I've twice rescued nestling birds where branches were cut from ash trees by clueless landscapers. In both cases I was able to save the nests by re attaching them to a nearby limb.

Wait until December to do major cuts with a thin bladed pruning saw, then follow up with good sharp loppers. Start from the top down. Stand back and look at the shape to determine what shape works best for the type of tree and location. Usually, just thinning will do the job by taking extra branches off the lateral limbs to bring light and health into the tree.

Thanks for the info. I just have some branches that are so low its damn near impossible to mow under them. But if can possibly hurt the tree maybe I can wait till later

[buffalobo]

Horticulturally, pruning trees in summer is not the best practice. If necessary, you can prune trees any time but it's better to wait until they become dormant in late fall or winter after a month or so of frosts. Pruning during the growing season does open trees to a wide variety of insect pests and diseases that are better avoided. Cuts cause sap to flow out, sapping energy from the tree and attracting insects. Blight includes a number of bacterial infections that attack open wounds and can kill many species of trees, not just fruit bearing trees like apple, crabapple or miniature crab, and blight and fungal infections can be difficult and costly to treat.

Also, pruning trees during the bird nesting season is not good. This year I've twice rescued nestling birds where branches were cut from ash trees by clueless landscapers. In both cases I was able to save the nests by re attaching them to a nearby limb.

Wait until December to do major cuts with a thin bladed pruning saw, then follow up with good sharp loppers. Start from the top down. Stand back and look at the shape to determine what shape works best for the type of tree and location. Usually, just thinning will do the job by taking extra branches off the lateral limbs to bring light and health into the tree.

+1, good info.

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[Hummer]

Yes, you can cut the dead branches, and the live ones if necessary. Don't make the cuts flush with the trunk, but cut at an angle leaving maybe an inch protruding above and about two inches below. As the tree grows the trunk will grow over and cover the cuts. Cutting too close can injure the trunk and cause problems with insects and disease.

[KS63]

Dang, Hummer! You're dropping tree knowledge like its hot! You a horticulturists? I learned a lot just now, thanks.