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to late in summer to reduce internodes?

20 years ago

hello, we will possibly get frost in a month, and im wondering if it is to late to prune back to a couple nodes now? will the new growth be too tender and it will freeze? How close to frost can you do this kind of reduction? I want to do it to my slippery elm, and trident maple. Thankyou

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
20 years ago
Your tree is currently storing photosynthate/food/energy for its winter rest and subsequent spring growth push. Removing the leaves is removing the workers that are manufacturing the food. The only reason to prune now would be to selectively prune an individual branch that you do not want to thicken further. Why not wait until the tree has lost its leaves to do your pruning, preferably before buds begin moving in spring?

Al
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