Trimming a large sugar maple branch in winter - Ask Extension
Hello, my question is how detrimental would it be to trim a large limb on a sugar maple at a fence line right now in the winter or really anytime giv...
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Trimming a large sugar maple branch in winter #890090
Asked November 20, 2024, 2:19 PM EST
Hello, my question is how detrimental would it be to trim a large limb on a sugar maple at a fence line right now in the winter or really anytime given the size of the limb? A small ADU house was built right at the lot line under our maple tree about two years ago this kind was already grown over the lot line. Now the owner of this house wants to cut a major limb (that was there when she bought the house) because she is afraid it will damage her house. What will this do to our tree? Especially cutting it now in the winter? I have attached a photos of where the neighbor wants to cut the tree.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Megan. When you are pruning live tissue, you are “wounding” it, which makes it more vulnerable to insects, disease and, in colder weather, freezing of the unprotected cells.
So, pruning in late fall and during the winter is not the ideal time period, except that "diseased, dead and dangerous" limbs can be removed any time of the year. This information sheet explains the techniques: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/12281/pruningtreesshrubs.pdf
Since we cannot assess the health of the tree, or the consequences to this tree of pruning now, I suggest that you contact a certified arborist for an on-site visit, to assess the tree and render an opinion about the wisdom of pruning now. You can find a certified arborist through this website: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Some arborists will only assess the tree; others will do the pruning, if you agree that that's best. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
So, pruning in late fall and during the winter is not the ideal time period, except that "diseased, dead and dangerous" limbs can be removed any time of the year. This information sheet explains the techniques: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/12281/pruningtreesshrubs.pdf
Since we cannot assess the health of the tree, or the consequences to this tree of pruning now, I suggest that you contact a certified arborist for an on-site visit, to assess the tree and render an opinion about the wisdom of pruning now. You can find a certified arborist through this website: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Some arborists will only assess the tree; others will do the pruning, if you agree that that's best. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the reply. I actually have had this tree assessed by a Certified Arborist ( actually several) and the tree , I have been told, is healthy and may need only some maintenance cutting to lighten some of the limbs. My concern is this cut could really injure the tree. The limb in the picture is healthy.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 20, 2024, at 2:22 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
Megan: the best any of us can tell you is "maybe", and I certainly can't predict its future just through photos. Here are what tree specialists in other states' forestry divisions say: https://extension.psu.edu/winter-is-tree-pruning-season
"It is important that they are pruned while they are fully dormant. If pruned too early, and not fully dormant, they may produce new shoots that can be killed by cold temperatures." (https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-02-18-winter-tree-pruning)
So, it's really your judgment call.
"It is important that they are pruned while they are fully dormant. If pruned too early, and not fully dormant, they may produce new shoots that can be killed by cold temperatures." (https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-02-18-winter-tree-pruning)
So, it's really your judgment call.
