How late to perform a cutback in Central Texas

[Maiden69]

Given that we normally don't have any frost or severe cold spells till mod-late December. How late would you cut back a deciduous tree?

I am closing on the house on the 19th and will start moving the trees there on the 23rd, or as soon as the sides of the house and the far area of the backyard are covered in decomposed granite. I have the trident and the peach tree that are slightly overgrown and would like to cut them back for transportation. If it is too late, I can always rent a box truck so not a big deal, but if I am still in the window I would like to know from more experienced people here. I have been holding on pruning too hard this year because of the subpar growing situation I am in.

 

[bray]

Well since you haven't gotten any responses I will toss in some food for thought. As I understand it, a good guide is not to prune after the window that will give you 100 days before the first frost to allow new growth to harden off. I lived in Texas most of my life, so I know your weather. Frosts are late in the year. If you prune now and it triggers new growth that has not hardened, will you have a place to move them to give them overhead protection for those random frosts that occur until winter sets in for good? I guess another part to this question is how much pruning needs to be done to allow for easier transportation, minor pruning in august heat may not trigger alot of new shoots you would know your trees better than me. The downside is you get some dieback on the new shoots and if the trees are truly overgrown is that really too much of a bad thing. I don't think you are risking the health of the trees but others with a lot more knowledge may disagree and be able to provide better guidance.

Hope this helps you decide on your path. Good luck.

P.S. I have also heard of pruning new growth that has not hardened in the fall to minimize frost damage but I do not know if it is a valid option or had a need to try it yet. But I might if the need arises, sound good in theory. Anyone else ever heard of this?

 

[Apex37]

I’m still finishing up my summer pruning, so I hope it isn’t too late! I’ll wait till others more experienced share their opinions. I was even considering digging up a bougainvillea for a repot this week because I want to bring it on our move and it’ll be way too difficult with the pot it’s currently in.

 

[namnhi]

I will de-candle my JBPs this weekend. I would have loved to do it two weeks ago but too lazy. I think they will be fine. For deciduous, in my case, I am more concerned about the new growths and the extreme heat. Most new growths in the 'summer' are either dried up due to fungal or the heat so I am very reluctant to cut anything on my JM and TM. Be warned, the next couple of weeks will be extreme regarding temperature for us Texans.

 

[Apex37]

For deciduous, in my case, I am more concerned about the new growths and the extreme heat. Most new growths in the 'summer' are either dried up due to fungal or the heat so I am very reluctant to cut anything on my JM and TM. Be warned, the next couple of weeks will be extreme regarding temperature for us Texans.

Any experience with sweetgum or cedar elm cut back around this time? Those are my last 2 trees I need to do summer pruning on.

 

[namnhi]

Any experience with sweetgum or cedar elm cut back around this time? Those are my last 2 trees I need to do summer pruning on.

Elm leaves are thick and rarely attacked by fungus. I think you are safe to cut them back but sweetgum I think you should not cut them back now.

 

[Maiden69]

Any experience with sweetgum

I did a hard pruning on my oriental sweetgum mid June last year, while the tree responded great the new foliage suffered through the rest of the summer. I moved it under 50% shade cloth and it faired ok. Unfortunately it didn't wake up this spring. It was exposed to freezing winds in the back of my patio when the frost blanket lifted with the strong winds.

My Seiju did great, and have always done no matter what I throw at it. My main concern are the JM/trident/crepe/cherry and peach trees.

 

[namnhi]

I did a hard pruning on my oriental sweetgum mid June last year, while the tree responded great the new foliage suffered through the rest of the summer. I moved it under 50% shade cloth and it faired ok. Unfortunately it didn't wake up this spring. It was exposed to freezing winds in the back of my patio when the frost blanket lifted with the strong winds.

My Seiju did great, and have always done no matter what I throw at it. My main concern are the JM/trident/crepe/cherry and peach trees.

Crepe is crepe myrtle? If it is, you can cut them back any time until they go dormant and they would still be fine.

 

[Maiden69]

Crepe is crepe myrtle? If it is, you can cut them back any time until they go dormant and they would still be fine.

Yes, this is my first one. Nothing out of the ordinary, got it at Home Depot, supposed to be a "small" one, but the leaves are HUGE. So it may end up moving into the garden as an ornamental tree. Got it over a piece of wood, since I was out of tiles. Will see this spring when I take it out of the bag. So far I did a cutback around 3 weeks ago, and was planning on doing another one soon as it already have 1-2' extensions.