Will a tree die if it is pruned down to only the trunk in winter (why do we prune all the branches in winter)?

Why do we prune branches in winter?

Winter is the best season of the year to prune trees because it is a dormant period for trees. Trees basically stop growing and nutrients are concentrated in the trunks.

Pruning branches at this time will have the least impact on the trees. After pruning broken branches, dead branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, the trees will grow stronger new branches in the next year. This is also one of the important measures for winter greening management.

Sawing off excess branches in winter is actually good for the trees. The trees will not die after pruning, but will continue to sprout and grow and survive in the spring of next year.

In fact, winter pruning can prevent the branches from being too many or too weak in the second year, which will affect the growth of the tree. Most importantly, sawing off the extra branches can also trim the tree shape, making the tree grow taller and more handsome.

Why do we prune trees down to their trunks in winter?

1. To reduce the loss of water and nutrients and allow the plants to retain more organic matter. If you cut down trees in the summer, the trees on both sides of the road will not provide shade. In addition, the summer is too hot, there are many mosquitoes and thunderstorms, and it is not good to encounter thunder.

2. After pruning in winter, new shoots will grow from below the cut in the next year, making the tree more beautiful and lush.

3. For fruit-bearing trees, in order to avoid having too many branches in the second year, pruning can help control the tree's vigor, adjust the tree shape, and make full use of light.

4. It is beneficial to prevent and control diseases and insect pests.

Tips for pruning branches in winter

Generally, when pruning trees, it is necessary to maintain a balanced growth between the roots and the crown. The tree should not be top-heavy, so as to ensure normal metabolism of the tree and increase its survival rate.

The branches are like the main beams of a house and should not be pruned off; for deciduous trees, the focus should be on pruning diseased and insect-infested branches, inner branches, parallel branches, overlapping branches, thin and weak branches, and drooping branches.

When pruning tree crowns, it is necessary to determine the amount based on factors such as tree species habits, crown growth conditions, planting season, transportation conditions, and planting conditions, and generally should not exceed 1/3 of the total amount.