Safety First
Dead or dying branches can fall causing injury or property damage.  Overgrown branches can obstruct lines of sight in vital areas such as intersections or driveways.  Trees can come into contact with overhead power lines. Pruning removes safety hazards.

Better yet, by careful planting, you can avoid many of the potential hazards in the first place.

Maintenance Pruning  
Trees shed weak branches to promote growth in healthier areas. You can help this process. Remove branches that are in competition for sunlight or that are rubbing against other.

DED Preventative Pruning  
When an elm is under attack from the Dutch elm disease fungus, timely pruning of infected branches can check the spread of the disease.

Pruning should not take place from early April to late July when the beetle is active. After the limbs are removed they should be burned or buried.

For more information on DED preventative pruning, click here. 

Types of Pruning