Summer is here—

Sunshine, green lawns, and shady spots under your favorite tree. But while you’re enjoying all that your landscape has to offer, your trees may be quietly signaling that they need a little attention. One of the best ways to care for them during this season? Summer pruning.

Whether you’re dealing with low-hanging limbs, crossing branches, or storm damage from spring, now is the time to walk your yard, look up, and give your trees the care they deserve.

Why Prune in Summer?

Most people associate tree pruning with winter—and while that’s definitely a good time for structural work, summer pruning has its own benefits, especially when it comes to fine-tuning and maintaining tree health.

Here’s why summer pruning matters:

You can clearly see what needs to go. With full leaf-out, it’s easier to spot deadwood, damaged limbs, or branches growing too close to your roof, windows, or power lines.
It helps control growth. Summer pruning helps manage overly vigorous shoots and can redirect a tree’s energy where it’s needed most—like root development or fruit production.
It reduces the chance of disease. Removing damaged or overcrowded limbs improves airflow and sunlight penetration, making your trees less susceptible to pests and fungal infections.
It prevents future storm damage. Removing weak, dead, or poorly attached limbs now can prevent dangerous breakage when summer storms roll in.

What to Look for When You Walk Your Yard

Grab a cool drink, take a stroll through your yard, and take a closer look at your trees. Ask yourself:

Are any limbs crossing or rubbing together?
Are there dead, broken, or hanging branches?
Are branches getting too close to your home or utility lines?
Are there low-hanging limbs blocking pathways or damaging plants beneath?
Is the tree leaning, unbalanced, or misshapen?

If you’re noticing any of these, your tree could benefit from some summer TLC.

Don’t Overdo It—Or Go At It Alone

Pruning in summer should be light and purposeful. Over-pruning can stress a tree, especially during high heat. The goal isn’t a major overhaul—it’s targeted maintenance to keep your tree healthy, safe, and looking its best.

And when it comes to larger limbs or anything off the ground, leave it to the pros. DIY pruning can be dangerous, especially with ladders, power tools, and heavy limbs involved. (Plus, bad cuts can do more harm than good.)

A Quick Note: Please Don’t Top Your Trees

Every summer, we get calls from well-meaning homeowners asking us to “top” their trees—usually to reduce height, cut back growth, or get more sunlight. And every time, our answer is the same:

We don’t top trees—because it’s one of the worst things you can do to them.

Topping is the practice of cutting off the top of a tree or large branches to stubs or random points. It might seem like a quick fix, but it causes major long-term damage, including:

Severe stress to the tree
Removing so much canopy at once shocks the tree and strips away its ability to photosynthesize, which is how it creates energy. This can lead to decline or even death.
Rapid, weak regrowth
Trees respond to topping by sending out lots of fast-growing shoots (called water sprouts), but they’re poorly attached and prone to breaking—especially in storms.
Increased risk of disease and decay
Topping wounds don’t heal well. Open cuts make your tree more vulnerable to rot, insects, and infection.
It ruins the natural structure—and beauty—of the tree
A topped tree never regains its natural form. What you end up with is a disfigured, unstable tree that may become a safety hazard.

No certified arborist or professional tree care company should be topping trees. If someone recommends it—or worse, offers to do it for cheap—that’s a huge red flag.

We Can Help You See What Your Tree Needs

Not sure what your trees need? That’s okay. We offer evaluatiuons that help you understand your tree’s structure, health, and long-term care needs. Sometimes it’s a quick trim. Other times, we spot early issues that save you major money (and headaches) later on.

So before you settle into full summer relaxation mode, take a moment to check in on your trees. They’ve been working hard to provide shade, beauty, and value to your yard—show them a little love in return.

Schedule your free quote today.
We’ll help you keep your trees strong, safe, and looking great all season long.

Give us a call at 810-300-2387
or click [here] to fill out our form
and let’s get your appointment on the calendar ahead of time!

Summer Pruning: Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Care for Your Trees