Elms are particularly well-groomed and attractive when they are pruned back. By pruning your elm regularly, you can keep control over its development and growth. But pruning is not always necessary. Find out here when it is worth pruning an elm, how to do it and when is the best time for the procedure.
Elms do not need to be pruned unless their tall growth is a nuisance
Is a pruning necessary?
Basically, the elm is one of the easy-care deciduous trees that do not have to be cut. You should only use scissors in the following situations:
- to achieve a particularly narrow growth or to keep the elm at a certain height
- when branches or twigs turn brown to prevent the deciduous tree from fully dying
The elm also tolerates a strong pruning. Note, however, that the more you trim the above-ground parts of the plant, the more root suckers it will produce.
The right time
In order to encourage renewed formation of young shoots and buds, you should cut your elm before it sprout. Usually these are the months of February and March. In addition, this point in time offers the advantage that the holes that are created in the process quickly grow again and the elm quickly regains its well-groomed appearance. Incidentally, when injured, the elm produces a scent that attracts pests. In the winter between November and February, however, production is limited. Prerequisites for the pruning date are cloudy weather and a frost-free day.
Important steps when pruning the elm
- remove any branches that are too close together and are obstructing each other due to their growth
- start by thinning out the crown and slowly work outwards
- the elm also tolerates a strong pruning
- but then shorten the tree to a maximum of 3 m. This is the minimum size if you do not want to damage your elm
- after you have planted your elm, pruning is not recommended. Give the tree about three years to get used to the new environment