Northern Arizona homes have some beautiful fall landscapes, but not without proactive summer care. August tree pruning should be top of the list if you want healthier trees and lovely home landscaping during the cooler months. Proper, timely tree pruning enhances tree health, improves their structural integrity, and boosts their growth. Pruned trees get better light, and better air circulation, to more of the tree. Pruning also prevents disease from spreading through the tree that would harm the tree and attract pests if left unchecked. Let’s explore these benefits in more detail.
Benefits of August Pruning
Pruning in August is ideal for Arizona’s fast-growing, drought-tolerant trees. Here’s why:
- Weather-Readiness: Tree pruning minimizes monsoon damage and clean-up. Removing dead, weak, and damaged limbs ahead of heavy rains and windy weather is much easier than doing it after the fact.
- Vigorous Tree Growth: Pruning can stimulate new growth on fast-growing trees. Removing excess growth or weak limbs allows the tree to direct more energy toward growing new, stronger branches.
- Healthier Trees: Summer pruning manages tree disease risk by removing diseased or damaged limbs before blight spreads to other parts of the tree.
- Better Tree Healing: Since pruning wounds heal more readily in warmer temperatures, August pruning encourages more complete tree healing and faster recovery.
- Fruit Tree Harvest: Pruning fruit trees in August prevents overgrowth and encourages better fruit production through improved air circulation. Removing excessive growth from fruit trees also allows more light to penetrate the branches, so more fruit can grow throughout.
Do All Arizona Trees Need Summer Pruning?
August is a good time for lots of trees to get a summer pruning. Palo Verde, Mesquite, and African Sumac thrive after careful summer maintenance. Oaks and elms, however, should be pruned at different times to avoid diseases common to those species.
When trimming your own trees, don’t forget to brush up on proper pruning techniques. First, know where to prune. Cut just above a bud or branch collar to promote healthy healing. It’s also important to know how much is too much tree pruning. Trimming too much tree canopy or pruning too many limbs can permanently impact tree growth and health. Keep an eye out for overgrowth, which can keep some parts of the tree from getting adequate sun, water, or oxygen.
Healthy Trees are Our Business
When you live in a desert climate, you don’t take trees for granted! We’re passionate about protecting and preserving the beauty of Arizona trees, and we’re good at it. We understand the specific needs of indigenous trees, and use expert pruning techniques to keep them healthy and strong.
If you’ve noticed tree damage or weak limbs, we’re ready to get your trees back in shape for summer heat, monsoon season, and beyond. We can also design (or refresh) your yard and landscape to incorporate more local trees and plants. There’s no need for DIY pruning if you’re not sure what’s best for your trees. Contact Zebrascapes for peace of mind this summer pruning season.
