Need some arborist opinions... I have monster of a maple in my yard... Trunk is over a yard in diameter... And a few of the branches are starting to hit my house and the neighbors house. These are all out range for normal trimming. I am thinking of cutting the branches at the base... Where they are huge - big firewood score - but my neighbor is telling me that the tree won't recover from such large cuts in winter as the will dry out the tree too much where the cut is. I have to say his theory has merit as the tree is dormant in winter. Anyone have experience with similar?
A quick search on friendly old google recommends after the coldest part of winter or even after they begin to start budding/just leaving out. Maybe because they are actively growing and can recover better?
I don't have a clue. However it's not the traditional trimming that I have in mind. Two of the branches are in excess of a foot at point they meet the tree trunk.
I've never heard of not doing any trimming in winter months. Spring is another thing but now through the next 2 months should be ideal for doing any trimming. And as for maple, sap is down now. Wait until mid-February and sap will run out if you cut it then. But even so, the tree would probably heal okay. You are in Milwaukee; I saw do the trimming now!
No problem, no offense taken nor did I mean any disrespect. That is just what I have heard, so basically any month except May - Aug.
I was told fruit tree month before blossom.. best time.. arborist for Apple trees... I do not think a 1 foot limb is trimming as much as surgery. . in my experience, sugar maples, about February we went out to clean up storm damage before tapping.. we alway cut broken branches back to tree ... I dont think any of them died.. up here they always seem to grow on road ways.. piece of advice... cut branch as you have to.. leave about 2 feet from tree then finish cut (OK to leave a foot stub) so that it doesn't make a bowl or someplace for water to gather and freeze to split tree..
What is the best time of year to trim trees? Nonblooming Trees and Shrubs: Prune in late winter while fully dormant. Summer-blooming Trees and Shrubs: Prune in late winter. Spring-blooming Trees and Shrubs: Wait until immediately after they bloom. They are the exception to the rule, but you still should prune them as early as you can. Copied from google word search
Why do you say that, all the rest of the months have an r.......not saying that is the best just what I have heard.
Yes cut the branch away from the trunk then finish off the " stub" after most of the weight is off. You can prevent tree damage that way. Like this How To Trim Large Tree Branches | Today's Homeowner
