Trees give us so much (not including the piles of autumn leaves) that I can't imagine a world without them. I've surrounded my home with a variety of tree species that provide the shade, privacy, color, and fruit I treasure. Some trees require little to no pruning, while others need yearly care to keep them at their best.

When to Prune Trees

The best time to prune depends on the type of tree. Spring-flowering trees (dogwoods, redbuds, ornamental cherries) should be pruned soon after flowering is over. These trees set flower buds in the fall on old wood, so pruning in the fall or winter will decrease the number of blooms you see next spring.

Summer-flowering trees and large shrubs (crepe myrtles, magnolias, plumeria) form flower buds on new wood and should be pruned in late fall or w

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