Cutting Lower branches of pines - Ask Extension
Hi, this is a great resource, thanks in advance for your help!
I have some pine trees that i would like to cut the lower branches off of. One of th...
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Cutting Lower branches of pines #868017
Asked May 11, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT
Hi, this is a great resource, thanks in advance for your help!
I have some pine trees that i would like to cut the lower branches off of. One of them has a broken branch so I figure it’s best to cut it. The others have branches that are making it hard to mow and/or killing the grass underneath. At the moment, they have new growth on the ends.
Are there good and bad times of the year to cut them? Is there anything I should do to protect them after cutting them like sealing the exposed wood from the cut?
Respectfully,
Jon
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Although the pictures are not close up, these appear to be white and blue spruce, not pines. Please check against this discussion or send me close ups.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-80
Here are instructions for spruce pruning. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/pruning-evergreens/#:~:text=Although%20spruces%20need%20very%20little,or%20a%20visible%20dormant%20bud.
New growth has started, so you are outside of the optimal window for pruning except for dead or damaged branches.
Sealing after cuts are no longer recommended.
Please note that all the spruce in MN are vulnerable to diseases. https://www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/267/Common-Problems-With-Spruce-Trees I am concerned about the plant in picture 2273 but the picture is too low resolution and too far away
Although the pictures are not close up, these appear to be white and blue spruce, not pines. Please check against this discussion or send me close ups.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-80
Here are instructions for spruce pruning. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/pruning-evergreens/#:~:text=Although%20spruces%20need%20very%20little,or%20a%20visible%20dormant%20bud.
New growth has started, so you are outside of the optimal window for pruning except for dead or damaged branches.
Sealing after cuts are no longer recommended.
Please note that all the spruce in MN are vulnerable to diseases. https://www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/267/Common-Problems-With-Spruce-Trees I am concerned about the plant in picture 2273 but the picture is too low resolution and too far away
