Should I prune in Spring?
In most cases, no. Once your tree has produced its new spring leaves, your main job is simply to keep it well watered — especially in the first year after planting.
When a tree bursts into leaf in spring, it’s using a great deal of energy to grow new foliage. In return, those leaves capture sunlight and convert it into food through photosynthesis.
Think of the tree’s canopy like a solar panel: the more leaf surface it has, the more energy it can collect to fuel its growth. If you prune it at this stage, you’re effectively removing part of its power supply.
Pruning during the growing season should only be done if absolutely necessary, and is best avoided. Trees are much easier — and happier — to prune when they are dormant (usually in winter or very early spring).
What about evergreen trees?
Evergreens are a little different, as they keep their leaves all year round. However, they still stop producing new growth by mid to late summer.
If you prune them too late in the summer, it can stress the tree and reduce its ability to recover.
The best time to prune evergreens is in early spring, just before they begin to grow again.
Once spring growth is underway:
-
Water regularly, especially if the weather is dry and your soil is well-draining.
-
Add general-purpose fertiliser in June and July to support strong, healthy growth.
And that’s it! Summer is one of the few times we actually recommend doing very little in the garden. Enjoy watching your trees flourish — they’ve got it from here.