08/10/2023
You’ve still got time to prune those native desert trees in your yard. Intense storms during monsoon season can bring damaging winds. Selective thinning can control tree size and thin the canopy.
Lightening the canopy by thinning internal branches can prevent storm damage before it has a chance to happen. As trees mature, pruning may be necessary to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
Warm weather is a better time for healing after pruning.
Why prune a tree?
Promote the health of the tree
Reduce hazards to people
Train a tree while it’s young
Increase or decrease flowers/fruit
Please note that pruning other non-native shrubs and shade trees should be done in winter to avoid sun damage to leaves and trunk during the heat of summer.
If you want to try doing some light pruning on your own, be sure to check out the publication on our website entitled, “Pruning Deciduous Shade Trees (publication # AZ1139). https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1139-2015.pdf
If you’re in need of a certified arborist, “How to Hire a Tree Expert” (publication # AZ1003) can help guide you through the process. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1003-2020.pdf
These are great resources for learning when to have trees pruned, the benefits of pruning trees, and how to choose the right arborist.