Prune These 8 Trees In March To Keep Them Thriving

Spring is a busy time for gardeners. One such yard chore is to dust off the loppers and do a bit of pruning. Certain trees, depending on when they bloom or produce, benefit from pruning in early spring. We've gathered a list of the top 8 trees you should prune in March.

Pruning, in general, helps shape trees, get rid of dead branches, and keep plants looking good. The key to healthy pruning is timing. Pruning in March, especially in areas where the risk of frost has passed, means you can make cuts to branches free of the worry that frost might cause the plant harm. Avoiding cold damage isn't the only reason to prune in March, either. For some plants, early spring pruning can also reduce the spread of certain diseases, such as fire blight.

Of course, seasoned gardeners know the right time to prune depends on the plant. For some trees, like dogwoods, a spring trim can interfere with the spring flowers. You'd probably be better off pruning that one in winter, along with other plants that prefer to be pruned in January.  It's important to know which plants prefer early pruning. 

While many evergreens don't need much trimming, if you do want to prune Juniper (Juniperus spp.) trees, then do it in March. It's a good time to trim for shape or cut back branches that have died. A word of caution: Try not to do much pruning of lower branches. This can affect the plant's structure and might make it unstable. Spring is also a great time to transplant juniper trees if you want to move them to a different part of your yard.

March or early spring is the best time to prune crabapple trees (Malus) as long as they're still dormant. Ideally, you want to prune before new growth starts. Also, it's a good idea to make sure you live in a zone where the threat of frost has passed before you get out those shears. When pruning a crabapple tree, think about how to thin the thick canopy so that more of the plant can get light and air.

While spruce trees don't technically have to be pruned often, they can still be shaped for aesthetic appeal. To best prune a spruce, pick late winter or early spring to even out branches that may have gotten lopsided. You can encourage your spruce to be fuller and more dense by cutting back the tip of the branch. Just don't cut past the lateral buds, which are located on either side of the terminal bud. These side buds help create that dense shape, rather than continuing forward, long and skinny.

March is a good time to start thinking about your Clethra (Clethra barbinervis) tree or shrub. This pretty blooming tree can be shaped in the late winter or early spring before leaves appear. The long spikes of flowers form on new wood, so to keep from chopping them off, make sure you prune in early March. Then, look for its fragrant blooms to emerge in the summer.

You might think more about holly trees (Ilex) in December, but March might be when they really need your attention. Pruning can help holly keep its shape, and it's also a good time to remove dead or dying branches. Plus, even as new growth begins to appear, you can still cut out any damaged or dead stems above new buds. Just be careful not to lop off small, emerging flowers. If you do, you'll have fewer berries that grow on your branches.

Early March might be the perfect time to trim your mountain ash tree (Sorbus aucuparia). For one thing, it helps you avoid fire blight, a bacterial infection that can infiltrate a branch via a wound or cut. Insects often carry the germ, and since it's likely there will be fewer of them buzzing around in March than in July, you'll probably reduce your danger of spreading it. Trimming in the cooler weather of spring also means this tree will bleed less sap, a win-win.

Hawthorn trees (Crataegus rhipidophylla) won't mind a March cut as long as they are still dormant . Pruning when trees aren't actively growing will help them produce more flowers later. Word to the wise, though, never prune a young one. You should always wait for a few years for a new Hawthorn to get established before giving it a trim. Make sure it's at least six feet tall or you risk seriously slowing growth for this new plant. No matter the age of the tree, never cut away more than a third of it at one time. 

Maple trees (Acer saccharinum) will do well if trimmed in late winter or early spring. March is an ideal time to cut away dead or crossed branches, as long as they're not growing leaves and they're still in their dormancy period. This will mean sap won't run as much when you lop off branches, and they'll be less susceptible to disease and pests. Spring is a great time to cut away suckers from the base of the tree. They'll grow quickly this time of year if they aren't handled right away.