When is the right time to prune a sycamore tree?

Pruning of sycamore trees

Pruning the sycamore tree can make the tree majestic, upright, and beautiful. It can also enhance its immunity and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests. Its main branches are long and have few leaves. If they are not pruned, its ornamental value and shading effect will be greatly reduced.

Sycamore Tree Pruning Time

Sycamore trees can be pruned in winter, mainly after the leaves fall, the soil freezes, and the tree is dormant until the sap flows in the following spring. Summer pruning can also be done after the spring buds sprout and before the leaves fall in autumn, mainly to remove buds, remove suckers, pinch the tops, thin out dense tender branches, and adjust the angles of main branches. Pruning twice a year is sufficient.

Propagation of Sycamore Tree by Pruning

The sycamore tree can be pruned and grafted in April, when the temperature and humidity are suitable. It can be planted in the open field around May or June depending on the temperature changes.

How to prune a sycamore tree

1. For newly planted trees, the main trunk should be shortened when it is 2.5 to 3 meters in height, which is called "fixing the trunk". Then, the upright branches and drooping branches should be pruned, and then the diseased and insect-infested branches, crossed branches, thin branches, inward branches and branches that affect traffic facilities should be cut. Only three strong main branches should be retained. Pay attention to removing buds during the growing season.

2. For young trees, a major pruning can be done in winter, leaving the three main branches unchanged, and then retaining two strong small branches on each main branch, with a length of 25 cm. Pinch off in summer to control their growth. Every winter, you can prune the remaining branches to one-third of their length and use them as extension branches.

3. For established trees, heavy pruning can be carried out in winter to remove diseased and insect-infested branches, upright branches, overlapping branches, dense branches, and crossed branches, and to shorten the main branches that are too long to stimulate the growth of branches and leaves at the base of the main and side branches, so as to ensure that the tree shape is compact, full, and beautiful.

Things to note when pruning sycamore trees

If there are dead or yellow leaves on the sycamore tree, they should be removed in time. Diseased and insect-infested branches and leaves should be pruned and burned in a centralized manner to prevent the growth of bacteria that affect the growth of the plant. Regular pruning is also required to prevent branches from becoming entangled with cables or blocking the view of drivers.