Photo: Willow, CC BY 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
White ash: when and how to prune
Fraxinus americana
White ash is best pruned in February.
| Pruning months | February |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Outside it |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
White ash: when to prune it?
In February, in frost-free weather, while the tree is dormant. A mature tree rarely needs pruning.
What else to prune in those months? February
White ash: how to prune it?
- Shape young trees: choose one leading shoot and remove competing tops.
- Remove dead, broken and crossing branches.
- Raise the crown gradually by cutting back low side branches.
- Leave work on large branches to a tree surgeon.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- The pruning months fall outside the nesting season (15 March–15 August), so you won’t disturb nesting birds.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Do not cut thick branches without expert advice: large pruning wounds heal slowly.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.