I am in Burlington Ontario and have a beautiful Katsura tree planted about 10 years ago. It is in a protected area between my home and the neighbour. The lower boughs are growing quickly and overhanging a pathway. Can I prune some lower branches at this time of year? Thank you!
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.
Although deciduous trees are best pruned when dormant in fall or winter, trees that do not exude sap may be pruned at other times.
As your tree is 10 years old, please take care when removing branches not to damage the branch collar (the slight swelling on the branch where it joins the trunk). To remove, use a pruning saw to undercut the branch by one-quarter of its diameter approximately 12 inches from the trunk to keep the bark from tearing back if the branch breaks. Make the second cut about 1 inch farther away from the trunk and saw through the branch from above. Lastly, remove the remaining stub by making two further cuts – first a small undercut just outside the branch collar, then a final cut just outside the branch collar from above, angling the saw slightly away from the trunk.
Good luck with your tree pruning!