When is the Best Time for Elder Tree Pruning?

Specialist advice on the best time to prune an elder tree; why elder tree pruning is important, and how to identify common elder tree diseases.

Elder is a popular tree that is native to the UK and prolific across Europe. It is a small, deciduous tree that will grow to heights of 15 metres and will live for up to 60 years. The elder has a short trunk with greyish-brown, corky bark, and its branches are fairly sparse.

You’ll find elder, or Sambucus nigra by its Latin name, in woodland and in hedgerows as well as in scrub and on wasteland. It is commonly found growing close to badger setts and rabbit warrens where the seeds are distributed courtesy of the animals’ natural by-products. The leaves are pinnate, turning pale yellow in autumn and the tree produces fragrant scented pinkish-cream flowers in early summer followed by small black berries – ‘elderberries’.

Why prune an elder tree?

The elder tree needs to be pruned for health reasons and also to maintain its overall appearance. It is also vital to prune elder trees to ensure the continuous bearing of fruit.

The aim within the first two to three years of growth is to allow the tree to grow wild, aside from pruning out damaged or dead canes or those with low fruit yield. Following that, taking out older branches will allow the proliferation of younger ones, which produce better quality fruit.

Elder canes will be in peak production during the first three years. Leaving the canes to age will make the tree more prone to winter damage, and will render it less productive. The tree really only needs six to eight canes to do well, but if there are more growing there is no real need to remove them unless there is a mass of disease or breakage.

When is the best time for elder tree pruning?

The best time to prune an elder tree is during late winter to early spring during its dormant phase.

Elder can be pruned hard without risk of causing damage. This encourages masses of vigorous new shoots with larger, more vibrantly coloured foliage.

As for any diseased or damaged canes or branches, try to remove these as soon as they become apparent so that the tree remains safe and healthy.

What to look for when pruning an elder tree

The elder tree is susceptible to blackfly and the glasshouse red spider mite. Look out for mottled foliage and early leaf fall.

You can find more on getting rid of spider mites here.

Verticillium wilt is also a problem for the elder tree. This is a soil-borne fungal disease that gets into the plant through its roots. Dieback and wilting leaves result.

Tree Preservation Orders

You must never undertake any tree work – that includes pruning, cutting back or dead-wooding – until you are certain that there is no Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in place. If there is, you must seek official permission before going ahead. Bear in mind that this can take up to eight weeks to materialise. Also you will need to note that if the tree is located in a conservation area, permission must be gained before proceeding with works of any kind.

Additionally, because elderberries are a favourite amongst birds, you will need to be careful about pruning an elder tree that is home to nesting birds.

The importance of elder tree pruning expertise

If you have an elder tree on your land or in your garden that you really want to keep in tip top, fruit-bearing condition, you should seriously think about calling in the expertise of a qualified tree surgeon.

When you do so, ensure you select one who can show you checkable references and official certificates proving their qualifications. You’ll also want to see insurance documents so you have peace of mind that you are covered for the work they undertake. Also, if you can, try to engage a tree surgeon that is Trading Standards and local authority approved for even further reassurance and a guarantee of value for money.

If you have an elder tree that needs pruning or trimming, why not contact T.H. Tree Services? As fully qualified and long term experienced Trading Standards and local authority approved tree surgeons, we are able to offer specialist expertise across all elements of elder tree pruning. For a free, no-obligation quotation, contact our friendly experts on 01268 642814 or get in touch here.

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