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Timing matters when it comes to tree trimming. Cutting branches at the wrong time of year can stress the tree, invite disease, or stunt its growth. On the flip side, trimming at the right time promotes healthy growth, improves the tree's shape, and reduces the risk of pest and disease problems down the road.
If you're a homeowner in West St. Louis County trying to figure out when to schedule trimming, here's what you need to know based on Missouri's climate and the types of trees most common in our area.
For the majority of trees in the St. Louis area, late winter is the ideal window for trimming. We're talking about that stretch from late January through early March, right before new growth starts in spring.
There are a few reasons why winter trimming works so well.
During winter, trees are in a dormant state. They aren't actively growing, which means trimming causes the least amount of stress. The tree can focus its energy on healing the cut sites before the spring growth surge kicks in.
With the leaves gone, it's much easier to see the tree's full structure. Dead branches, crossing limbs, and structural problems that are hidden during the growing season become obvious. This allows for more precise, effective cuts.
Many of the fungi and insects that infect trees through open wounds are inactive during cold weather. Trimming in winter significantly reduces the chance of introducing oak wilt, Dutch elm disease, and other pathogens that spread through fresh cuts. This is especially important for the red oaks and elms found throughout Ballwin, Manchester, and Wildwood.
Spring trimming is fine for some situations, but it requires more care. Once trees break dormancy and start pushing new growth, they're putting a lot of energy into leaf production and branch extension. Heavy trimming during this period can set the tree back.
Light pruning in spring is generally safe. Removing small dead branches or shaping a young tree won't cause major issues. But avoid any heavy structural cuts on mature trees until the following winter if possible.
One exception: spring-flowering trees like dogwoods, redbuds, and crabapples should be trimmed right after they finish blooming. If you trim them in winter, you'll cut off the flower buds before they have a chance to open.
Summer isn't typically recommended for major trimming work, but there are valid reasons to trim during the growing season.
If you have dead or hazardous branches that need to come down, don't wait until winter. Safety concerns override seasonal timing every time. Similarly, if a tree has storm damage from Missouri's summer thunderstorms, it should be addressed promptly to prevent further splitting or decay.
Summer is also a good time to trim for visibility and clearance issues. If branches are blocking sightlines at the end of your driveway or hanging over your roof, those can be handled without waiting for dormancy.
The main thing to avoid in summer is removing large, healthy limbs. The tree is working hard to sustain its canopy during the hottest months, and major cuts can leave it vulnerable to heat stress and sunscald on the newly exposed bark.
If there's one season to avoid trimming, it's fall. As temperatures drop and days get shorter, trees begin preparing for dormancy. Trimming during this transition period can trigger new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first freeze, leaving the tree with tender tissue that's susceptible to cold damage.
Fall is also peak season for fungal spore release in Missouri. Open wounds created by trimming cuts provide an easy entry point for disease during a time when spore counts are at their highest.
The best advice for fall? Leave the trees alone and plan your trimming for the winter months ahead.
Different species have slightly different ideal timing. Here's a breakdown for the most common trees in West St. Louis County:
Oaks: Trim in winter only. Oak wilt is a serious concern in Missouri, and the beetles that spread it are most active from April through October. Winter pruning is the safest approach.
Maples: Late winter, after the coldest weather has passed. Maples trimmed in late winter may "bleed" sap from the cuts, but this is cosmetic and doesn't harm the tree.
Elms: Winter trimming is strongly recommended. Dutch elm disease spreads through fresh wounds during the growing season, so avoid spring and summer cuts.
Flowering trees (dogwood, redbud, crabapple): Trim immediately after blooming in spring to preserve next year's flower buds.
Evergreens (pine, spruce, cedar): Light shaping can be done in late spring after new growth (called "candles") has emerged. Avoid heavy cuts, as evergreens don't regenerate from old wood the way deciduous trees do.
Knowing when to trim is just as important as knowing when to call someone who does it for a living. If the branches in question are large, high up in the canopy, or near power lines, professional trimming is the safe route. Improper cuts can cause long-term damage to the tree's structure and create hazards that are worse than the original problem.
At Ballwin Tree Service, we handle trimming projects year-round across West St. Louis County. We'll help you determine the right timing and approach based on your specific trees and what you're trying to accomplish.
Ready to get your trees on a trimming schedule? Contact us today for a free on-site consultation.
