Tree Guys got a question

[dwag70]

I know about oaks and not pruning them in the spring ..but what about spruce ? I want to trim up the bottom branches as they are lying on the ground and are dieing and making a home for mice and rabbits ...can I do this in the spring ?

[Bobb-o]

spruce are ok to trim at any time, while pines should be trimmed in the spring and early summer.

[Dan Thiem]

I always though that you should never prune in May or June. Something about the fresh cuttings will draw in bugs.

[1DIRTBALL]

Just to be on the safe side, why don't you wait until fall, after the first frost, when the tree goes dormant? 1DIRTBALL

[Bones62]

I have a couple tree farms and prune a lot of trees. It is OK to prune off those lower branches any time. The conifer trees really never go dormant like deciduous trees.

[Powerstroke]

What bones said is right. Spruce are able to be pruned at any time.

Some trees and shrubs are actually supposed to be pruned in the spring. It all depends on the type of plant, when they flower/fruit and any known pathogens and when the plant is succeptable.

DOn't prune oaks or elms after April 1st. The bugs are coming. I saw gnats and flies outside today in Elk RIver.

[BLACKJACK]

I'm glad you said April 1 for oaks, I was just out last weekend trimming some low hanging branches off some oaks, then I saw the other post about oak wilt....

Can I still trim my apple trees or is it too late?

[Sergeant Slabber]

Apple trees should be alright to prune until the buds are really starting to plump up, then you need to hold off.