This step-by-step guide walks through how (and when) to prune ornamental trees correctly. You can watch a video version of this guide below.
Pruning helps to keep trees healthy, promote better growth, as well as maintain and enhance their natural shapes, especially when they are young.
This is a more general pruning guide aimed at ornamental trees. Some tree species have different pruning requirements, so make sure to do some extra research on your species before getting to work.
Always remember to take your time and prune with care!
What's in this guide
Equipment List
Depending on what you're pruning, you'll need one or more of the following. Make sure your tools are clean, sharp and in good condition.
- Secateurs (for smaller branches)
- Loppers or shears (for larger branches)
- Pruning saw (for even larger branches)
- Protective gloves and any other protective gear where appropriate
- Ladder to increase your reach (if the tree is tall)
When to prune
Typically, the best time to prune deciduous ornamental trees is during their dormant season which is late winter to early spring, between November and March before any new growth begins.
For flowering ornamental trees, pruning times will vary according to when they flower, and should be done to maximise the next season’s flowering. As a general rule of thumb, trees that flower in summer or autumn should be pruned in winter to spring, while trees that flower in spring should be pruned after flowering, in late spring or early summer before any new buds come in.
There are exceptions to this. Pruning certain species at the wrong time of year can lead to diseases, infections and other issues. Birch trees, for instance, should only be pruned from late summer to mid winter to prevent bleeding of sap. Always check first whether it is the right time to prune.
What to prune
To keep your tree happy and healthy, your first cuts should be to remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches. This is perhaps the most important reason to be pruning an ornamental tree, so if you only prune for one reason, make sure it’s this one.
For dead wood, make a clean cut just outside the branch collar which is the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. If the branch is diseased, damaged or broken, cut it back to healthy wood, which should not be black or discoloured.
Also keep an eye out for any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other as these should be removed to prevent disease and overcrowding. Branches growing inwards towards the centre of the tree may also need to be removed.
How to prune
To prune a branch correctly, make a cut just above an outward facing healthy bud or sideshoot, so that a new branch will grow outwards rather than inwards. Try to cut at a 45 degree angle if you can.
Other pruning considerations
While pruning, always keep in mind the tree’s natural growth habit and make sure to step back regularly to get a good look at the shape of your tree.
Pruning should be done to accentuate a tree’s ornamental features and natural shape. Unless your tree is a topiary or is designed to be sculpted into different shapes, we advise against over-pruning or creating an unnatural appearance for your tree.
Some species do not take well to heavy pruning, so if in doubt it’s always best to prune in stages if you are significantly reducing the overall size of a tree.
Pruning larger trees
If your tree is old or large, you may want to prune for reasons other than general tidying. The below techniques are some methods for pruning very large trees but all require knowledge and experience to carry out safely and correctly. If in any doubt, we recommend consulting a professional tree surgeon or arborist.
Crown reduction
If your aim is to reduce the height or spread of a tree’s crown, avoid simply topping as this can lead to weak and unnatural growth. Each branch should be carefully pruned back while retaining the natural shape of the tree.
Crown thinning
If the canopy is too dense and shading itself, you can thin out crowded branches to allow more light and air circulation within.
Crown lifting
If the tree is taking up too much space at the ground level, you can consider removing some of the lower branches to create more room beneath the canopy.
After pruning
When you’ve finished pruning, you can put your twigs and branches into compost or dispose of them in a garden waste bin. If composting we recommend shredding or breaking down any larger branches.
