End Of Winter Best Time To Prune Trees

Now is the time to prune back your trees according to Cookeville Electric Department.

Forester Jeff Fitzpatrick said pruning trees can help keep power lines safe and prevent damage to the electric system. He said the best time of year is the end of winter.

“During the fall of the year, as the sap goes down you get weeping and running at those pruning injuries that will stain and discolor the bark,” Fitzpatrick said. “Does it hurt it? Not always, but looks unsightly. If you do it at this point in the year, then you don’t have that problem and you end up with a neater-looking tree.”

Fitzpatrick said the electric department uses a method known as natural target pruning instead the topping method. He said pruning a tree using the topping method almost always creates rot that extends through the tree.

Fitzpatrick said it is important to not prune any flowering trees at this time. He said because trees like dogwoods and redbuds are about to bloom, pruning would make them unsightly or even damage them.

“And if they’re wanting to help us in our efforts, it’s important that if there is any question about a power line to call the department before you do anything,” Fitzpatrick said.