At Leicester Tree Services, we love helping your trees look their best and stay healthy! Our tree pruning services are all about giving your trees the care they need to grow strong, stay safe, and make your yard beautiful in Leicester. Whether you have a huge oak, a small apple tree, or anything in between, our friendly team knows how to trim and shape them just right. We cut away risky branches, tidy up messy growth, and help your trees thrive. Let us make your yard shine with our expert care!

Why Tree Pruning Matters

Tree pruning is like giving your trees a haircut—it keeps them healthy, safe, and looking good. When we prune, we carefully cut away branches that aren’t helping the tree. This could be dead branches, ones that are rubbing together, or parts that are growing in the wrong direction. Pruning isn’t just about looks, though—it’s super important for a bunch of reasons.

First, pruning keeps trees healthy. Dead or sick branches can spread problems to the rest of the tree, like diseases or bugs. By cutting these off, we stop the trouble before it gets worse. Pruning also lets more sunlight and air reach the tree’s leaves and branches. This helps the tree make food through photosynthesis (that’s how trees use sunlight to grow) and keeps it strong. A healthy tree grows better, lives longer, and can handle tough weather like storms or heavy snow.

Second, pruning makes your yard safer. Overgrown or weak branches can fall, especially during windy days or storms. These falling branches can hurt people, damage your house, or smash cars. At Leicester Tree Services, we spot these risky branches and remove them before they cause trouble. We also trim branches that hang too close to power lines, roofs, or walkways, so you don’t have to worry about accidents.

Third, pruning makes your trees look amazing. A well-pruned tree adds beauty to your yard and can even make your home look more valuable. Messy, overgrown trees can make a place look untidy, but a neatly trimmed tree gives your garden a clean, welcoming feel. Whether you want a tree shaped into a nice round form or just tidied up, we can make it look perfect.

Finally, pruning helps trees produce more fruit or flowers if that’s what you’re after. For fruit trees like apples or pears, cutting the right branches encourages the tree to focus its energy on making bigger, tastier fruit. For flowering trees, pruning can lead to more colorful blooms. At Leicester Tree Services, we know how to prune each type of tree to get the best results, whether it’s for fruit, flowers, or just a great shape.

When Is the Best Time to Prune?

Timing is super important when it comes to pruning. Pruning at the wrong time can stress your tree or even harm it. At Leicester Tree Services, we’ve learned the best times to prune based on years of working with trees. The right time depends on the type of tree, the weather, and what you want to achieve. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand when we prune and why.

Winter Pruning (December to February)

Winter is one of the best times to prune most trees. Why? Because trees are “sleeping” during this time—they’re not growing new leaves or branches. This is called the dormant season, and it’s great for pruning because the tree can focus on healing without trying to grow at the same time. In winter, it’s also easier for us to see the tree’s structure since there are no leaves in the way. This helps us decide which branches to cut to improve the tree’s shape and health.

Winter pruning is perfect for trees like oaks, maples, and elms. It’s also a good time to remove dead or damaged branches from any tree because these can be dangerous if left until spring. For fruit trees, winter pruning helps shape the tree and encourages better fruit production in the next season. At Leicester Tree Services, we often recommend winter pruning for most trees in your yard because it’s safe and effective.

Spring Pruning (March to May)

Spring can be a good time for some light pruning, but we have to be careful. In early spring, just before trees start growing new leaves, we can do some touch-up pruning to shape trees or remove small problem branches. This is especially true for trees that flower in spring, like cherry or plum trees. If you prune these trees after they bloom, you might cut off next year’s flowers by mistake.

However, spring is when trees are waking up and starting to grow, so heavy pruning can stress them out. Sap is flowing, and cutting too much can make the tree lose energy it needs for new growth. At Leicester Tree Services, we usually keep spring pruning light and focus on trees that need a little shaping or have minor issues. For example, we might trim young trees to help them grow into a strong shape or remove small dead branches that showed up after winter.

Summer Pruning (June to August)

Summer pruning is less common, but it has its place. In summer, trees are full of leaves and growing fast. Pruning during this time is great for slowing down growth in trees that are getting too big or for shaping young trees. For example, if a tree is growing too tall or wide for your yard, a summer trim can help keep it in check. Summer is also a good time to cut away “suckers” (those fast-growing shoots that pop up at the base of a tree) or water sprouts (skinny branches that grow straight up).

We also use summer pruning to fix small problems, like branches that are blocking sunlight from other plants or rubbing against your house. However, we don’t do heavy pruning in summer because it can stress the tree or make it lose too many leaves, which it needs to make food. At Leicester Tree Services, we’ll check your trees in summer and only prune if it’s really needed, like to keep things safe or tidy.

Fall Pruning (September to November)

Fall is usually not the best time for pruning, and here’s why: trees are getting ready to go dormant, and cuts made in fall can take longer to heal. Fresh cuts in fall can also attract bugs or diseases, especially since the tree isn’t growing much to fight them off. Plus, some trees might start growing new shoots after pruning, and those shoots can get damaged by cold winter weather.

That said, there are times when fall pruning makes sense. For example, if a storm breaks branches or makes a tree unsafe, we’ll come out and take care of it right away. At Leicester Tree Services, we might also do light pruning in early fall for certain trees, like evergreens, to keep them looking neat. But for most trees, we’ll wait until winter to do the main pruning work.

Emergency Pruning (Any Time)

Sometimes, pruning can’t wait for the “perfect” season. If a branch is broken, hanging dangerously, or blocking something important like a driveway or power line, we’ll prune it right away, no matter the time of year. Safety always comes first at Leicester Tree Services. If you notice a tree problem, just give us a call, and we’ll take care of it quickly and safely.

Why Choose Leicester Tree Services?

At Leicester Tree Services, we’re passionate about trees and making your yard a better place. Our team is trained to know exactly when and how to prune each type of tree. We use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts that help your trees heal fast and stay healthy. We also clean up after every job, so your yard looks great when we’re done.

We understand that every tree and yard is different. That’s why we take the time to look at your trees and listen to what you want. Whether it’s making your trees safer, helping them grow better, or just making your yard look amazing, we’ve got you covered. We’re a local Leicester team, so we know the trees in this area and what they need to thrive.

Let’s Get Started!

Ready to give your trees the care they deserve? Leicester Tree Services is here to help! Call us today, and we’ll come out to check your trees, talk about what they need, and set up a pruning plan that works for you in Leicester. Whether it’s a quick trim or a big job, we’ll make sure your trees are healthy, safe, and beautiful all year round. Let’s make your yard the best it can be!