Fall Pruning Promotes Tree Growth

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Trees will grow better when you prune in the fall. New Mexico State University's Anna María Pérez-Wright explains.

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Trees can be pruned any time of year, but fall is a good pruning season. Doña Ana County horticultural agent John White with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service says it's fine to prune after the trees drop their leaves.

"When you prune during the dormant season, the plant's response on deciduous trees is to put on new growth in the spring. If you summer prune, you're going to not necessarily stunt them, but you're going to slow down the growth on them, so you don't have the same response during a summer prune as you do a dormant pruning."

If you hire a professional to prune your trees, White says it's important to make sure the person is qualified to do the job.

"You can ask for references. Spend the time to check the references out. You want to ask for proof of insurance. They should be able to prune a tree and you really don't know that the tree has been pruned. That is the best pruner when they can do that."

For more information on the best way to prune specific trees, call your county Extension agent. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.