Pruning Trees in Summer: Tips for Stronger, Healthier Trees in St. Louis

When the heat of summer settles over St. Louis, tree care might not be the first thing on your mind. And the truth is most trimming and pruning should ideally happen in the fall or winter, but pruning trees in summer can be one of the most beneficial things you do for your landscape—if done correctly. With a little knowledge, the right timing, a pair of sharp pruners, and, in some cases, the help of a certified arborist, you can help your trees thrive through the hottest part of the year.

This guide outlines best practices for summer pruning, explains which trees benefit most, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes homeowners make during the warmer months.

The Benefits of Pruning Trees in Summer

Pruning isn’t just about shaping your trees—it’s about improving their health, safety, and beauty. In summer, careful pruning provides several unique benefits.

Better visibility of problem areas: With leaves fully grown, it’s easier to spot dead or diseased branches hiding within the canopy.
Improved air circulation: Thinning the crown can allow air to move freely through the tree, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Controlled growth: Trimming back vigorous summer growth can help redirect the tree’s energy into strengthening existing branches and developing fruit or flowers.
Storm prep: Removing weak or overextended limbs reduces the risk of storm damage during summer thunderstorms, which are common in areas like Kirkwood and Sunset Hills.

Remember, summer isn’t the time for heavy pruning, but small, smart cuts can go a long way.

Learn more about the positive impact trimming and pruning have on the health of your trees in this informative guide.

Keep Trees Healthy

Need-to-Know Summer Pruning Tips for Tree Health

You don’t need to be an arborist to support your tree’s health, but there are a few summer pruning tips for tree health you should always follow:

Focus on Dead, Damaged, or Diseased Branches

Look closely for branches that appear brittle, discolored, cracked, or covered with unusual growth, like mushrooms or dark spots. These are often signs of internal decay or disease. Removing them helps prevent the spread of pests or rot to healthier parts of the tree. Careful pruning can be a DIY task for small branches within easy reach. But if you’re seeing large limbs or decay near the trunk, it’s time to bring in a professional.

Prune During Cooler Times of Day

Midday sun can stress both you and the tree. Prune early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower. Trimming during peak heat can cause the tree to lose too much moisture through the exposed cuts, making it harder for the tree to heal. This small timing adjustment can help your tree recover faster and stay healthy.

Use Clean, Sharp Tools

Rusty shears and dull loppers make pruning harder, and worse, they can damage the tree. Jagged cuts take longer to heal and create an open door for infection. Before each use, sanitize blades with rubbing alcohol and make sure they’re sharpened. This is especially important when working on multiple trees, as pests and diseases can spread from one tree to another on dirty tools. If your equipment is old, dull, or not up to the task, professional services can save you a lot of time, stress, and money.

Tools and Techniques for Summer Tree Pruning:

Equipping yourself with the right tools makes summer pruning safer and more effective. Here’s what you’ll need for proper pruning:

Hand pruners for small twigs and shoots
Loppers for branches up to 2 inches thick
Pole pruners for hard-to-reach limbs
A pruning saw for thicker branches

Avoid Over-Pruning

It’s tempting to thin out too many branches at once, especially when a tree looks messy. However, removing more than 10–15% of a tree’s canopy in the summer can expose inner limbs to harsh sunlight, causing sunscald and shock. Trees need their leaves to produce energy and stay cool—overdoing it weakens the entire structure. If you’re unsure how much to cut or if the tree has a dense canopy with multiple crossing limbs, a certified expert can guide you safely.

CTA: Wondering if your needed tree care during the summer months is a DIY project or something the pros should handle? Compare these two approaches with the insights provided in this helpful guide.

Button: DIY vs. Professional Care

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Pruning Trees in Summer

Even with the best intentions, summer pruning can go sideways if you’re not careful. Keep your trees in top shape with these helpful summer tree care tips:

Cutting Too Close or Too Far: A cut too close to the trunk can damage important tissue, while a cut too far leaves a stub that won’t heal properly.
Topping the Tree: Never remove the top of a tree to reduce its height. This encourages weak, fast regrowth that’s more prone to breakage.
Ignoring Timing: Pruning right before a heatwave can send your tree into stress mode. Check the weather and prune during milder summer stretches.

When to Call a Professional for Summer Pruning

Not every summer pruning task should be handled on your own. In many cases, tackling a tough job with the wrong tools or limited experience can do more harm than good to the tree and your property.

Your Tree Is Near Power Lines or Buildings

If a branch is growing close to your house, deck, garage, or electrical wires, it’s time to call the pros. These situations are dangerous to attempt on your own, and pruning too much—or too little—can lead to damage during storms or high winds. A professional knows how to make precise cuts while keeping your property protected.

You Need to Remove Large or Heavy Limbs

A thick, heavy branch hanging over your roof or fence might seem like something you can cut down with a saw, but one wrong move could send it crashing into your home—or worse. Certified arborists have the tools, equipment, and expertise to remove large limbs safely and without unnecessary damage to the tree or your surroundings.

You Suspect Disease, Rot, or Insect Infestation

If your tree has sections with oozing bark, soft wood, fungi growing from the trunk, or an unusual number of insects, it’s best to call in an expert. A professional can identify what’s affecting your tree and remove diseased limbs in a way that stops the spread while preserving the rest of the canopy.

The Tree Is Too Tall to Reach Safely

If you’re dragging out a ladder to reach the top of your tree, stop right there. Working at height without safety harnesses, proper training, or ground support is a leading cause of injury in tree care. Arborists use harnesses, ropes, and pole pruners to reach even the tallest branches safely and efficiently.

What Species Benefit Most From Tree Care During Summer Months in St. Louis?

While all trees can benefit from occasional summer attention, some are particularly well-suited for warm-weather pruning.

Flowering Trees

Trees that bloom in spring, like dogwoods and redbuds, can be pruned in early summer after their flowers fade. This helps shape the tree without removing the next season’s flower buds.

Fruit Trees

Summer is a great time of year to thin branches on apple, pear, and peach trees to increase airflow and reduce the risk of disease. Pruning and proper tree care also support better fruit development.

Fast-Growing Shade Trees

Species like maples and elms can grow excessively in spring. Light summer trimming helps manage their size and removes weak limbs before they become a problem.

Need to Prune Trees in Summer? Meyer Tree Service Is Here to Help

If pruning trees in summer takes more than a few clean cuts and snips here and there, don’t risk long-term damage to your tree or put you or your property in harm’s way. Meyer Tree Service has kept St. Louis area properties healthy and safe for over 30 years. Whether you’re dealing with young trees, unreliable pruning tools, or just don’t have the time, we’re here to make tree care during the summer months a breeze. Contact us today to schedule a free on-site assessment and estimate.