Hello from Your Local Tree Experts 🌲

Hey neighbors! It’s your friends at New Life Arbor here in Grand Rapids. With spring officially waking up West Michigan, a lot of folks are itching to get outside and tidy up the yard—and that often includes your trees.

But hold up! Before you grab those loppers or saw, let’s talk about what trees you should be pruning right now... and which ones you should absolutely leave alone.

We’re seeing a lot of online chatter and search traffic about spring tree pruning, so we’re jumping in to set the record straight with some good old-fashioned, Michigan-honest tree advice.

Can You Prune Trees in Spring?

Yes—and no.

It really depends on the type of tree. Some species handle spring pruning just fine, but others (like oaks and maples) are best left until another time of year.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s safe to prune in April and what’s best to hold off on.

Trees You Can Prune in Early Spring

✔️ Fruit Trees (Apple, Pear, Cherry, etc.)

Spring is a great time to prune these before the buds fully open. It encourages healthier fruit production and stronger branch structure. If you missed winter pruning, early April is still okay.

Local Tip: Fruit trees love structure. Remove any crossing branches and open up the center for airflow.

✔️ Shrubs That Bloom in Summer (Like Hydrangea paniculata)

These bloom on new wood, so pruning now won't affect their flower show.

🚫 Trees You Shouldn’t Prune in Spring

❌ Oak Trees

From mid-April through mid-July, oaks are highly vulnerable to oak wilt, a deadly fungus spread by sap-feeding beetles. If you prune during this window, you're putting your tree (and possibly your neighbors' trees) at serious risk.

Best Time to Prune: November through March.

❌ Maple, Birch, Walnut

These trees “bleed” sap heavily in early spring. While it’s not harmful, it’s messy and unnecessary. Wait until late spring or summer.

❌ Spring-Flowering Trees (Lilac, Magnolia, Crabapple)

Prune these after they flower, or you’ll cut off this year’s blooms. Patience = petals!

Tools You’ll Need (and How to Use Them Right)

• Sharp Hand Pruners: For small branches under ¾ inch
  

• Loppers: For thicker limbs up to 2 inches
  

• Pruning Saw: For larger limbs
  

• Gloves + Eye Protection: Safety first!
  

• Disinfectant: Wipe blades between cuts to prevent spreading disease

Local Rule of Thumb: Never cut flush with the trunk. Leave the branch collar intact so the tree can seal itself up naturally.

Why Over-Pruning Is a Spring No-No

Even if your tree can be pruned now, don’t go overboard. Removing more than 25% of the canopy stresses the tree and opens it up to pests and disease.

Golden Rule: If you’re not sure—don’t cut. Call us instead.

Got a Storm-Damaged Branch? Here’s What to Do

We get it—Michigan spring storms can do some damage. If you have broken or hanging branches, those should be addressed immediately, regardless of season.

Just don’t climb ladders or tackle large limbs on your own. We have the tools and training to handle it safely and quickly.

When in Doubt, Trust a Certified Arborist

We love a good DIY project, but trees aren’t something to guess at. Here’s why calling in a certified arborist (like us!) makes all the difference:

• We know what not to cut.

• We’re trained to prevent disease spread (especially oak wilt).

• We have the equipment to safely reach high or risky limbs.

We clean up every twig, so you don’t have to.

Your Trees. Your Safety. Your Grand Rapids Experts.

Whether you’re in Forest Hills, Cascade, Ada, Rockford, or right here in the heart of Grand Rapids, we’re proud to be your go-to team for honest, expert tree care.

This spring, let’s get your trees prepped for a healthy growing season—the right way.

🌐 Visit us at newlifearbor.com

Free estimates. Friendly advice. Local know-how.