What You Need to Know Before You Book That Spring Trim or Pruning
When spring hits and your trees flush out in bright green foliage, it’s natural to want everything looking sharp. Maybe you see limbs getting a little too close to the house, or you’re just hoping clean up your property before summer, or perhaps you see you neighbors cutting their trees and think its time to cut yours. Whatever your reason for pruning it is important to understand that while it might seem like the perfect time, pruning during the growing season can actually do more harm than good.
Here’s why we recommend waiting—and what you should know before hiring any company that tells you otherwise.
What’s Going on Inside a Tree During the Growing Season?
Spring and early summer are times of intense biological activity for trees. They’re using stored energy (carbohydrates) to push out new shoots, expand their canopy, and photosynthesize like crazy to replenish their reserves. Cutting into that process can rob them of the very leaves they need to survive.
As Dr. Alex Shigo, the father of modern arboriculture, put it:
“Pruning is an injury. And timing that injury matters.”
Pruning during the growing part of the season (Spring through Summer) causes the tree to divert energy away from growth and healing—and toward damage control.
The Risks of Pruning at the Wrong Time
Pruning at the wrong time—or done improperly—can significantly delay a tree’s ability to close wounds, compromise branch structure, and increase the risk of decay. When performed in the spring, pruning disrupts a tree’s natural growth processes, interferes with its stress response, and weakens its internal defense system to compartmentalize (also known as CODIT). As a result, heavy pruning during the growing season limits photosynthesis, reduces energy reserves, increases susceptibility to insects or disease, and can ultimately shorten the tree’s lifespan.
Spring and early summer are a terrible time to take off large amounts of live tissue—unless there’s a compelling, risk-based reason to do so.
When you prune in the growing season, you’re exposing the tree to:
- Energy loss at a critical time
- Increased pest and disease vulnerability
- Stress-induced suckering and weak regrowth
- Sun-scald and bark injury on newly exposed limbs
The wounds just don’t close as efficiently in spring and early summer, and that means more long-term risk.
When Is It Actually Okay to Prune in Spring or Summer?
There are exceptions—some light pruning is okay when:
- Removing hazardous or broken limbs
- Addressing obstruction or safety issues
- Performing minor corrective pruning for clearance or to prevent damage to other structures.
Even then, pruning should be done selectively, sparingly, and with tree health in mind. And never just for appearance or convenience.
How We Do Things Differently
At Barren Tree Solutions, we follow science—not sales tactics.
As Certified Arborists we won’t recommend pruning if it risks the long-term health of your trees. That means saying “not now” when it’s in your best interest—even if another company says “we can be there tomorrow.” We remain up to date with ANSI A300 standards, industry best practices (ISA & TCIA), and continually study the teachings of experts. Doing the right thing for your trees isn’t just good practice—it’s good stewardship. It builds trust, protects your investment, and helps create healthy landscapes that thrive for decades.
Concluding Thoughts
So before you schedule that spring tree trimming, ask yourself:
Is it necessary, or is it cosmetic?
Trees are living systems. When they’re in the middle of growing, pruning can create wounds they aren’t ready to deal with—and open the door to problems that take years to fix or cost you more money in the long run.
Want to learn more about proper pruning practices? Reach out! We’re happy to evaluate your property and recommend the right timing for your trees—not just the convenient one.
Still Not Sure? Let’s Talk.
Call or email us today for a consultation, or visit our website to explore more resources on tree care and seasonal services.
References:
Gilman, E. F. (2012). An Illustrated Guide to Pruning (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.
Lilly, S. J. (2001). Tree Pruning: Best Management Practices. International Society of Arboriculture.
Purcell, L. (2016). Tree Pruning: When and Why. Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension.
Shigo, A. L. (1991). Modern Arboriculture: A Systems Approach to the Care of Trees and Their Associates. Shigo and Trees, Associates.
Smiley, E. T., & Lilly, S. J. (2007). Best Management Practices: Tree Risk Assessment. International Society of Arboriculture.