Now Is the Worst Time to Prune Trees, a Gardener Says—What You Should Know

But no matter what types of trees youre growing, early fall is the worst timeto prune trees.

Why Shouldn’t You Prune Trees in Fall?

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Pruning lower branches on an evergreen magnolia with pruning shears

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Using different pruning techniques for new wood and old wood trees will ensure your trees flower well.

Evergreen or conifer treesusually dont need significant pruning.

Gardener pruning fruit trees with pruning shears

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However, flowering trees that bloom on old wood should only be pruned after they finish flowering.

Gardener using pruning shears to cut a piece of leafless branch from a tree

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Purple leaf plum tree branches with small white and pink flowers with buds and brown leaves closeup

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

ripe apples on tree

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Recently planted tree in park protected by a fence

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