Asking Our Saskatoon Arborists Common Questions about Pruning

Ever wondered why your neighbour’s trees look like they belong in a botanical garden, while yours resemble a windblown scarecrow? The secret is probably proper pruning!

In Saskatoon, where winters can be tough and summers short, tree pruning isn’t just about appearances; it’s essential for long-term tree health.

To clear up the confusion, we asked our local arborists to tackle your most pressing pruning questions. Let’s dive in and get your trees looking their absolute best!

Why Is Tree Pruning Important?

Tree pruning isn’t just about keeping your yard looking great; it plays a vital role in keeping your trees healthy.

• Health and Growth Benefits: Pruning removes dead, diseased, or weak branches, allowing trees to focus their energy on healthy growth. By eliminating potential breeding grounds for pests and diseases, pruning also serves as a preventive measure to ensure your trees thrive year-round.
• Safety and Property Protection: Overgrown branches can pose serious risks, especially near power lines, homes, or driveways. Pruning reduces these hazards, minimizing the chances of branches falling during storms or obstructing visibility. A well-maintained tree is a safe tree.
• Aesthetic Improvements: Pruned trees add structure and symmetry to your yard, enhancing curb appeal. Whether it’s creating an elegant canopy or shaping younger trees, pruning ensures your outdoor space looks polished and welcoming.

When Is the Best Time to Prune Trees in Saskatoon?

Timing is everything when it comes to tree pruning.

• Winter Dormancy: The best time to prune most trees is during their dormant season, from late fall to early spring. With no leaves in the way, we can see the tree's structure clearly. Pruning during dormancy also minimizes stress on the tree and reduces the risk of spreading diseases or attracting pests.

• Spring-Specific Trees: Flowering trees like lilacs and crab apples should be pruned after their blooms have faded. Pruning them too early might remove flower buds, leaving you with fewer blossoms to enjoy in spring.
• Avoid Summer and Fall Pruning: Late summer and fall are less ideal for pruning because of increased sap flow and active pest populations. These factors can make trees more vulnerable to stress and infections. We recommend sticking to winter or early spring for most pruning tasks to give your trees the best chance to thrive.

What Are the Different Pruning Techniques?

Tree pruning is both an art and a science, requiring specific techniques for different goals. Here are the primary pruning methods that we use:

• Crown Thinning: Thinning involves selectively removing branches to improve sunlight penetration and air circulation within the canopy. This technique helps reduce the risk of disease and promotes even growth throughout the tree.
• Crown Raising: For areas where clearance is essential, like driveways, sidewalks, or lawns, we use crown raising to remove lower branches. This technique creates space underneath the tree, improving accessibility and safety.
• Crown Reduction: If a tree grows too large for its space or poses a risk of branch failure, we go for crown reduction to reduce its overall size. This technique ensures stability while maintaining the tree’s natural shape.
• Deadwooding: Dead branches are a safety hazard and can attract pests. Through deadwooding, we remove these branches, enhancing the tree’s health and reducing risks to nearby people and property.
• Structural Pruning for Young Trees: Shaping young trees while they’re still developing ensures a strong, balanced structure. This preventative approach minimizes the need for corrective pruning in the future.
• Restorative Pruning: For trees that have been damaged by storms, improper pruning, or neglect, we use restorative pruning to remove damaged branches and reshape the tree, encouraging healthy regrowth. This method helps revitalize the tree and improve its appearance.

How Do I Know If My Trees Need Pruning?

Not sure if your tree is due for a trim? These are some tell-tale signs and factors that tell us if pruning is needed.

We start by inspecting your tree’s branches and canopy, looking for:

• Dead, diseased, or damaged branches that appear dry, brittle, or discoloured.
• Overgrown branches interfering with buildings, fences, or pathways.
• Limbs that cross or rub against each other which can lead to weak spots.

Certain tree types, like fruit-bearing varieties, benefit from annual pruning to encourage healthy growth and improve fruit yield. Similarly, flowering trees often require post-bloom pruning to maintain their aesthetic appeal.

Check for leaning branches or limbs near power lines or structures, as these pose a safety risk. If your tree appears uneven or overburdened on one side, it’s time to act before structural instability becomes a problem.

What Tools Are Essential for Pruning?

Equipping yourself with the right tools makes all the difference for effective and safe pruning. Here’s what you’ll need:

For small to medium-sized branches, invest in high-quality tools like:

• Pruning shears for precise cuts.
• Loppers for thicker branches.
• Hand saws to handle slightly larger limbs with precision.

For larger branches, a chainsaw is invaluable. However, leave this to us if you’re inexperienced, as power tools can be dangerous without proper training.

Also, remember, safety first! Always wear:

• Gloves to protect your hands
• Goggles to shield your eyes from debris
• Hard hats to guard against falling branches

Sharp, clean tools are essential to prevent disease spread and ensure clean cuts. Regularly sanitize and sharpen your equipment to keep it in top condition.

Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, some pruning practices can do more harm than good. Here are common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Over-Pruning: Removing more than 25–30% of a tree’s canopy in one session can stress the tree, reducing its ability to photosynthesize and weakening its overall health. Less is more—focus on small, strategic cuts to preserve the tree’s vitality.
• Improper Cuts: Avoid leaving stubs or cutting into the branch collar, the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. These errors can prevent proper healing and leave the tree vulnerable to disease and pests. Always cut just outside the collar for a clean, safe wound.
• Topping Trees: Topping, or indiscriminately cutting back large branches, is a fast track to tree decline. It leads to weak regrowth, unbalanced structure, and increased vulnerability to breakage. Instead, use reduction pruning techniques for a more sustainable and visually pleasing outcome.
• Using Dirty or Dull Tools: Unclean or blunt tools can tear branches, leaving ragged wounds that heal slowly and are prone to infection. Always sanitize and sharpen your tools before pruning to ensure smooth, precise cuts.

How Can Green Drop Arborists Help?

Pruning is an art and a science, and we bring both to the table.

• Professional Expertise: Our ISA-certified arborists understand Saskatoon’s unique climate and tree species, ensuring your trees receive expert care.
• Custom Assessments: We offer free yard and tree evaluations to tailor a pruning plan that meets your trees’ specific needs, maximizing their health and longevity.
• Quality Assurance: All pruning services adhere to ANSI A-300 pruning standards, ensuring optimal results with every cut.
• Debris Removal: We handle post-pruning clean-up, leaving your yard pristine and ready to enjoy without the hassle.

Your Trees Deserve Expert Care – Let’s Make It Happen!

Pruning is more than just a snip here and there; it’s an investment in the health, safety, and beauty of your trees. In Saskatoon, we are ready to handle everything from complete tree health care to precision pruning tailored to your yard’s unique needs.

Whether it’s crown thinning, deadwooding, or structural pruning, we’ve got you covered with professional expertise and unmatched care.

Don’t leave your trees to chance. Schedule your free tree care assessment and see how we can transform your landscape. Serving Saskatoon to Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Red Deer, we’re here to keep your trees thriving year-round!