When is the best time to prune black locust trees?

Pruning of black locust tree

Pruning the branches and leaves of black locust trees can further regulate the rational distribution of nutrients, inhibit excessive growth, promote flower bud differentiation, and bloom and bear fruit earlier. It can also extend the flowering and fruiting periods, rejuvenate old trees, and improve their ornamental value.

Black locust tree pruning time

Black locust trees are generally best pruned in late winter and before spring. Pruning in other seasons is also acceptable, but don't prune too much. Generally, they are pruned about three times a year: summer pruning, autumn pruning, and winter pruning.

Black locust tree pruning propagation

Black locust trees can be propagated best by pruning in spring, when the temperature is just right and the air humidity is high, which is ideal for rooting and sprouting.

How to prune black locust trees

1. When planting black locust trees as street trees, generally use a multi-lead trunk shape, and the shaping zone is about 2.5 meters. After the young trees are planted, management must be strengthened to promote strong sprouts and cultivate backbone branches on this basis.

2. When pruning in summer, select 4 to 6 branches with strong growth and good orientation angles within the shaping zone, and pinch off the tender tips of the remaining branches. When pruning in winter, select 3 to 4 main branches and shorten them to about 80 cm depending on the growth conditions. If the growth is not enough, you can lightly prune them or leave the tops uncovered.

3. When Sophora japonica trees are used as street trees, they sometimes touch electric wires, preventing the trees from growing high. You can use the open-heart-shaped shaping method, and select 3 to 5 strong, evenly distributed, obliquely upward branches as the main branches. Cut off the rest. The tips of the main branches of street trees should be neater, and the remaining main branches should be shortened at the end.

Black locust tree pruning precautions

After the black locust tree gradually takes shape, thinning can be carried out in winter, including thinning out whorled branches, clustered branches, thin and weak branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, overly dense branches, dry branches, etc., to reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests. After each pruning, it should be placed in a ventilated place for maintenance, and diffuse light should be provided.