When is the Best Time for Holly Tree Pruning?
Late winter to early spring.
When should you prune a holly tree? Why is holly tree pruning important? And what are the most common holly tree diseases? Read on to find out…
The holly tree, scientifically referred to as Ilex aquifolium and also known as the common or English holly, is an evergreen tree native to the UK. It can grow up to 15 metres in height and often lives up to 300 years.
The holly tree is of course synonymous with Christmas thanks to its deep green leaves and vibrant red berries which stay put on the trees throughout the winter.
You’ll find the holly tree in gardens and parks as well as in hedgerows and oak and beech woodland. It’s a popular winter food source and nesting tree for birds, and small mammals enjoy its prickly protection during their hibernation.
Why prune a holly tree?
The holly tree blooms on old wood. This means that in pruning it during its dormant phase (see below), you are potentially reducing the number of floral buds that will appear during the following growing season, which means less holly berries. However, if you prune a holly tree outside of its dormant phase, then you are likely to leave the plant open to diseases, or promote new growth that will go on to become frost damaged.
Holly tree pruning is usually undertaken in order to create a certain shape for your tree. Depending on your preference and the setting of the tree, this could be either formal or informal. In other words, holly tree pruning aims to maintain the attractive appearance of the plant throughout the year.
When is the best time for holly tree pruning?
The safest time to prune a holly tree is during its dormant phase, which is late winter to early spring. The tree generally only needs light pruning in order to keep it looking tidy and to maintain its health by removing any congested branches to boost airflow.
If you don’t want to reduce berry production, then you could wait until the summer when your holly tree has started to flower and the berries have started to form before you prune it, cutting only the branches without berries. However, it is vital not to leave it until too late in the summer, because the early autumn frosts will damage the new growth and the sap will attract bugs which bring with them disease.
Some people do like to cut off holly branches so they can ‘deck the halls’ over the festive period. This is safe, as the tree is still in its dormant phase. Just remember that the following year’s crop of berries will be reduced as a result.
What to look for when pruning a holly tree
The holly tree is susceptible to holly leaf blight. Look out for purple or black blotches on the leaves, and dieback of stems. Also be on the lookout for the holly leaf miner which can also cause leaf blotching, so can be confused with holly leaf blight, however the difference is the blotches are more of a yellowish purple or sometimes yellowish white and appear on the upper surface near the centre of the leaf. Don’t be alarmed by leaves turning yellow and falling in summer, however, as this is simply the normal shedding of old leaves.
Tree Preservation Orders
You must never proceed with any tree work if there is a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in force. Check this before you go ahead. If there is a TPO in place then you’ll need to make an application to the local authority for permission to carry out tree works and you could find this permission takes anything up to eight weeks to come through. In addition, if the tree is situated in a conservation area, you’ll need permission before undertaking works of any kind.
Also, because the holly tree is commonly used by birds for nesting, you’ll need to make sure your tree is free from nesting birds before going ahead with any tree works, as it is an offence to disturb them.
The importance of holly tree pruning expertise
If you are keen to ensure your holly tree is given the very best care and attention, and want to make sure any diseases are detected early so that they can be promptly dealt with, then your best option is to call in a qualified tree surgeon. They will be trained as to the best time to prune your holly tree and will know precisely the most appropriate method of doing so depending on the particular variety you have and what you are looking to achieve. They’ll also be able to spot and deal with any signs of disease.
When choosing a tree surgeon, always be sure to ask for checkable references and certificates that prove their qualifications. Also request insurance documents so you can be sure you are covered for the work being undertaken. Finally, if possible, try to engage a tree surgeon with Trading Standards and local authority approval for a guarantee of quality and value for money.
If you have a holly tree that requires pruning or trimming, why not contact T.H. Tree Services? As fully qualified and extensively experienced Trading Standards and local authority approved tree surgeons, we are able to offer specialist expertise across all aspects of holly tree pruning. For a free, no-obligation quotation, contact our helpful experts on 01268 642814 or get in touch here.
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