7 trees to prune in March before it is too late

Pruning trees ensures they remain healthy, safe, and beautiful. An important part of maintaining trees is trimming them at the right time and there are seven trees to prune in March before it is too late.

Many deciduous trees will start to break dormancy this month. It means the window to prune them is closing, as you want to trim before the new growth starts. If you have not got out and pruned your fruit trees, dogwoods, oaks, hawthorn, and more then it is a job to add to March’s gardening to-do list.

 

1. Crabapple

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Crabapple trees are very low-maintenance trees for a backyard, which includes pruning. After you plant a crabapple tree, it may require some trimming to keep it well-shaped and healthy, but it is not a rigorous annual task and more a case of as-and-when.

If you wonder when to prune crabapple trees, the answer is during their dormancy and before the buds swell in spring. It is often that March is an ideal window in many climates.

2. Dogwood

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Dogwood trees are popular and versatile ornamental additions to provide color through fall and winter. Regular pruning in March will help keep the tree healthy and is also a useful way to control the shape and size of the dogwood – perfect if you want to enjoy the tree in a small garden.

3. Fig

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When you grow a fig tree, it is key to know how and when to prune fig trees to keep them healthy and reward you with a great crop of fruits. The ideal time to prune figs is in late winter or early spring – between February and April, depending on your climate.

4. Hawthorn

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Hawthorns are a historic type of tree with red berries, and these fruits follow its highly scented white or pink flowers that appear in spring. Hawthorn trees should not be pruned until established and require trimming every 3-5 years to maintain the shape and ensure the tree’s health. Pruning should be early spring. Whenever you prune hawthorn, you must have a pair of strong and thick gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection as the tree has sharp thorns.

5. Holly

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There are hundreds of varieties of holly to grow and many can make fantastic trees, some capable of reaching up to 50 feet in height. The wonderful thing about growing holly, as well as the berries and different colors of spikey leaves to choose between, is that it is very versatile and can be kept under control through pruning in spring- meaning that holly trees can work in gardens of all sizes.

6. Mountain Ash

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The mountain ash, also known as the rowan tree, is a deciduous ornamental tree suitable for small or medium-sized gardens. Mountain ash trees impress with their feathered leaves followed by vibrant red berries in late summer and fall. If you grow rowan trees, they do not need lots of pruning – but it is important to trim at the right time.

Late winter or early spring is the ideal time to prune as the trees are susceptible to fire blight and pruning in late winter at the end of their dormancy mitigates the risk of infection. It also reduces the risk of excessive sap loss. Mountain ash doesn’t need a lot of maintenance pruning. It is usually a case of removing dead or diseased branches and thinning any overcrowded or crossing stems to open up the canopy.

7. Oak

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Oak trees are beautiful specimens and one of the best trees for wildlife, but they do need to be well-maintained. Not pruning an oak tree can leave it unhealthy and diseased, increasing the risk of dropping branches, especially during storms.

Pruning oak trees annually in winter or early spring keeps the tree healthy and looking at its best. It also keeps branches away from houses and power lines and prevents them from blocking sightlines for driveways and sidewalks.

Source: Homes & Gardens©