When To Prune Generally, the best time to prune woody plants is in the early spring while they are still dormant. Although this loss of sap causes no harm to the plant, it is a source of concern for many homeowners. To prevent sap loss in the spring, these plants should be pruned when they are fully leafed out. Trees that bloom on old wood should be pruned immediately after blooming. The flowering buds of these plants are produced the previous growing season.
Pines probably have the most particular pruning requirements.
These candles can be pruned when they have elongated but before the needles fully emerge. Pruning later would likely leave unhealed wounds that could result in winter damage. Plant growth will be directed into the remaining side branch or bud. Pruning paints are usually not necessary except on trees or shrubs that are susceptible to bacterial diseases such as fireblight. When removing large branches, three cuts are necessary to avoid tearing the bark.