Proper Pruning Proper pruning will be an integral part of any successful urban forestry program. Without some form of help, trees seldom develop growth patterns that complement urban forest uses. Wide crotch angles, which provide strength, and strong central leaders are not normally the result of nature. For pruning to be beneficial, it must be done at the proper time of year and with a specific purpose in mind. For initial planting and establishment, all pruning and shaping should have been done at the nursery but, if pruning is required, wait until after the first season.
Research indicates that pruning inhibits root growth.
The first season's priority is establishment. Major pruning cuts should be performed from December to March in Alabama. Injury to the tree, safety reasons, or pruning schedules may force you to prune at other times of the year. The risks and benefits of pruning out of season must be weighed and compared before a decision is made. Crossover branches, dead or dying limbs, water sprouts, and double leaders should be removed immediately to reduce possible injury to the tree.