February 19, 2003
Betsy Halden
Woodbury Bulletin

Late winter is the time to prune your trees

Despite the snow, the cold winds, the Alberta clippers, we know spring is coming. We can hear it in the cardinal and in the chickadee’s calls. You can feel it in the warmth of the sun. Even with cold north winds blowing you can feel the sun’s warmth when going to the mailbox. It’s time to begin to think of early gardening activities, such as pruning.

Late winter, before they break dormancy, is the time to prune many trees. With bare branches it is easier to see where to cut and what to remove. It can also help avoid some disease problems. Washington County Master Gardener Esther Filson says “Some trees with free-flowing sap in late winter may lose sap through the pruning cuts, but pruning doesn’t hurt the trees. Maple, birch, walnut, butternut, ironwood and blue beech may lose sap but will not be harmed by March pruning.”

Esther Filson also recommends that “Early blooming trees should be pruned after they finish blooming. These include apricot, chokecherry, flowering plum, cherry and magnolia. Honey locust, apple, crab apple, mountain ash and hawthorn trees shouldn’t be pruned in summer because of the risk of disease invading the trees through pruning cuts.”

Here are some tips for using the correct tools for your pruning jobs:

Always start with clean tools. There should be no rust on the blades.

All blades should be sharp. Test by touching them lightly.

Tools should be well oiled, especially at all hinges. This is important in reducing friction.

When pruning out diseased growth, remember your tools can act as agents of transmission to other plants. To avoid this, clean blades with a solution of 10% Clorox and 90% water, then wipe with an oily rag.

Use the right tool for the job.

Scissors work well for dead heading flowers. Or, you can pinch with your fingers.

Hand pruners or clippers can be used for stems or branches up to ½” in diameter.

Loppers are good for branches ½” to ¾” in diameter.

When using a chainsaw, your safety should be first thing that comes to mind. The following will help reduce the likelihood of an accident:

Never use a chainsaw when you are alone.

Never cut from a ladder or tree unless you have been trained for this approach.

Never raise the saw above your shoulders to make a cut.

Know what you are cutting. Are there nails or other metal objects embedded in the wood?

Wear protective clothing and gear. A helmet with ear protectors and a facemask cost less than the coverage insurance companies provide.

Among several article on pruning available at www.extension.umn.edu, I found the following references helpful:

Washington County Master Gardener Esther Filson is the author of “Get a head start on spring: Late winter is ideal for pruning trees.” You can read it on line at www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2002/GetAHeadStartOnSpring.html

For information about when and how to prune different types of plants go to www.sustland.umn.edu/maint/pruning.html

Betsy Halden is a resident of Woodbury. You can reach Betsy Halden at eahalden@comcast.net.