As trees begin to wake from dormancy, a well-planned trim can promote strong growth, improve structure, and reduce the risk of disease. If you're planning to prune this season, here are some key tips from MBGNA Horticulture Lead, Doug Conley.

Step 1: Use the Right Tools

Make sure you are using the correct tool for the size branch you want to trim.  Here are a few popular choices:

Hand pruners: Best for small branches (under ½ inch thick).

Loppers: Ideal for medium-sized branches (½ to 2 inches thick).

Pruning saw: Necessary for larger branches (over 2 inches thick).

It’s a good idea to sanitize your tools to prevent disease spread - this can be done by wiping blades with a 10% bleach solution before and after cutting. Additionally, remember to keep your tools sharp to ensure clean cuts and minimize damage to the tree.

Step 2: Identify What to Trim

Begin by removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as these can weaken the tree and invite pests or diseases. Next, thin out crowded branches to enhance air circulation and lower the risk of fungal growth, and cut back any crossing or rubbing branches to prevent wounds that might lead to infection. 

Step 3: Make Clean Cuts

Begin by locating the branch collar, the slightly raised area where a branch meets the trunk or a larger limb, as this is the ideal spot for making your cut. Once you’ve identified this area, make a cut just outside the branch collar without leaving a stub or cutting too close. 

Step 4: Timing Matters

When it comes to timing, it's important to consider the unique needs of different trees. For example, oak and elm trees should be pruned only between November and March to prevent oak wilt and Dutch elm disease, respectively. Maples and birches, on the other hand, may ooze sap if pruned in late winter. For spring-blooming trees like dogwoods or redbuds, it's best to wait until after they flower to avoid removing this year’s blossoms. Fruit trees also have unique pruning requirements- while they share some similarities with flowering trees, their timing and techniques vary by type. In Michigan, March is generally the best time to prune most fruit trees, as they are still dormant, making shaping easier before new growth begins.

Tree care is a vital part of maintaining resilient landscapes, whether in your backyard or in the ecosystems we steward at MBGNA. With thoughtful pruning this March, you’re setting up your trees and the environment around them for a season of strong, healthy growth.