Extension Notes: The Dos and Don’ts of Pruning Your Trees

By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Pruning can generally be good for a tree, but make sure you have a reason, use the right cut, and don’t get careless, as a bad pruning job can impact a tree’s appearance and performance for years. 

First, the “why.” Pruning is usually about fixing problems or preventing future ones. That can mean removing dead, broken or diseased branches, removing limbs that are rubbing together or trimming overhanging branches. It can also be about shaping a young tree so it grows stronger and to increase visual appeal. 

Landscape or ornamental trees are managed differently than forest trees. For advice and tips on managing Kentucky timber stands, consult your local county Extension agent or Kentucky Master Logger. 

You can prune most landscape species any time, but late winter is usually a sweet spot for deciduous trees. Trees are dormant, branches are easier to see without leaves, and you’re less likely to tear bark when spring growth starts. Evergreen pruning is more seasonal, depending on the reason for trimming. It’s smarter to cut branches when they’re small. Smaller wounds close faster and give decay fewer chances to move in. Smaller branches are also more easily managed. City residents should check with local waste management companies about guidelines for limb disposal. 

One no-no is topping trees. That’s when someone chops off the tops or the ends of big branches to “make it shorter” or “make it round.” Topping leads to weak, messy regrowth, more breakage and often tree decline or death.  

Cutting correctly matters more than people may think. For small branches, hand pruners or loppers that are clean and sharp work fine. Make cuts at the branch collar—the little swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. Don’t cut flush against the trunk, and don’t leave a stub. Both mistakes slow healing and raise the risk of rot. Let the tree heal naturally. There is no need to paint the cut—tree “wound dressing” isn’t recommended. 

For larger branches (greater than an inch in diameter), use a sharp, clean blade and the three-cut method so you don’t rip bark down the trunk. First, make a small undercut past the branch collar about half-way through the limb, then cut the branch off about an inch farther out on the limb to drop the weight, then make the final cut at the branch collar. It’s a little extra effort that can save you from a big ugly tear. 

Last, but not least, is safety. Always wear proper safety gear when pruning trees. It’s recommended not to prune within 10 feet of power lines, and do not use a ladder. Chainsaws in trees are also a “no” unless you’re trained. If the branch is big, high or anywhere near utilities, the smartest move is calling a pro (like an ISA Certified Arborist). The Kentucky Arborists’ Association maintains a list of certified arborists to make it easy to find one in your local area. 

To learn more about tree pruning, contact the Carter County Extension office.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.       

Upcoming Events:

• Northeast Area Livestock Association Meeting – February 24^th @ 6:00 PM; Topic: USDA Programs
• Beef Quality Care & Assurance Training – February 27^th @ 10:00 AM; Call 474-6686 to register.
• Small Ruminant Quality Assurance Training – March 3^rd @ 6:00 PM; Call 474-6686 to register.
• Little Sandy Beekeepers Association – March 3^rd @ 6:30 PM; Topic: Brainy Bees – Using Honey Bee Brains to Understand Shifts in Behavior