When is the best time to prune my tree?

In most cases, corrective pruning of dead or weakened branches can be done at any time of the year because it will have little effect on the tree's growth. Removal of one or two small branches can also be done at any time of the year for the same reason. Heading, limbing, and thinning, however, should be done in the late fall or early winter when leaves have dropped. This prevents excessive bleeding, and the wounds will heal quickly when new growth begins in the spring. Pinching, tip pruning, and shearing should be done when the shoots are actively growing in the late spring and early summer. In the case of coniferous trees, pruning should be completed before the new shoots have hardened off (lignified). Pinching, tip pruning, and shearing at this time will effectively control growth and maintain tree and shrub size.