Someone, much wiser than I, once said, "He, who fails to plan, plans to fail!" Imagine not planning the life care of a new child. Without thoughtful guidance and care the child might not survive to achieve productive adulthood. Trees are living things too. Should not we give similar attention to their development?

Trees are the largest living things on earth that survive despite the inability to move out of harm’s way. They must make it where they are rooted. Unfortunately, the average life span of an urban tree is estimated by some to be only seven years. Since we do most of the planting, then we must share in the responsible care of these trees if they are to reach maturity.

The typical large homeowners' association landscape with maturing trees might have a value of a million dollars. Such an investment deserves professional management. Too often a board decides "it is time to cut all the trees" and solicits bids from local tree contractors. Few recognize the difference between cut and prune. And unfortunately, most tree contractors simply provide just what they are asked, rather than offering sound management counsel on how best to maintain the tree investment.

Rarely do all trees need simultaneous pruning. They are as individual in their needs as are we—their guardians. And the absolute worst is the direction that "all the trees are to be cut heavy" so that they will not need it again so soon. To control size through heavy pruning will incur the highest maintenance costs. The best pruning approach is to allow the natural characteristics of the tree to develop. If the tree is too big for the location, remove it and allow nearby trees to continue developing. Or, replace it with a more suitable species. Secondly, heavy cutting of established limb wood initiates decaying weak structured trees that will require more frequent maintenance to minimize an increased hazard to people and property.

The Management Approach is to identify a baseline of needs. Then in a prioritized fashion itemize the needed work by species, season or urgency. With this data, a forecast many years into the future is made with realistic budgets of meaningful and necessary tree care. A good plan must also address the cultural problems of the site like water, light, space and soil conditions.

A professionally prepared management plan allows any non-tree-expert to efficiently manage stressed financial resources to best control the equally stressed living resources they are entrusted to preserve. With proper managed care, trees will be precious gifts for future generations.

GENERAL GUIDANCE

 

• Flowering plants should be pruned after flower. So if it blooms on last year’s wood, prune early after bloom to grow wood for next year’s bloom. If it blooms on this year’s wood, prune any time after bloom until growth for this year’s wood. 
• Most broad leaf deciduous trees that are maintained natural should be pruned after they leaf out with mature leaves. This creates a more static tree in good balance with stored energy reserves. The pruning will seem to last longer. Pruning during bud swell and leaf formation should be avoided. 
• Plants with sensitive bark should not be pruned just before or during hot summer if the canopy is to be thinned to the point that significant light will penetrate. 
• For evergreens, fall pruning will result in a lacy appearance longer. But if the plant is frost sensitive, this should be avoided. 
• If it doesn't matter to the client or to the tree, schedule any time. 
• Safety concerns usually outweigh seasonal guidance. The client must be given the options and make the decision.

SEASONS TO PRUNE THESE TREES

SEASON	WHEN	WHAT	WHY
Winter	NOV-FEB	Canary Is pine Monterey pine aleppo pine sycamore deciduous fruit eucalyptus (stressed, high value)	pine beetles pine beetles pine beetles lung irritation, tree response best fruit production long horned borer
Spring	MAR-MAY	flowering fruit ficus and other frost tender	maximum current year flower less risk of frost damage
Early Summer	MAY-JUL	deciduous broadleaf screening trees / hedge carrotwood	maximum pruning retention quickest return to privacy minimum fruit nuisance
Summer	JUL-SEP	coast live oak evergreen pear	minimize witch's broom minimum fire blight inoculum
Fall	SEP-NOV	messy deciduous coral	minimize leaf litter reduce risk of wind damage

SEASONS TO AVOID FOR PRUNING