When to Trim Trees in the Pacific Northwest
A simple seasonal guide to trimming deciduous and evergreen trees in SW Washington.
Tree trimming is one of the most misunderstood landscape tasks in the Pacific Northwest. The good news: there's a simple framework you can follow that will protect your trees and keep your property safe.
For most deciduous trees, maples, oaks, ornamentals, the ideal trim window is late winter to early spring, before bud break. The trees are dormant, the structure is easy to see, and pruning wounds heal quickly as new growth begins.
Evergreens like cedar, pine, and Douglas fir can usually be trimmed any time of year, though late summer is generally avoided to give the tree time to harden off before fall storms.
Storm-damaged or hazardous limbs are the exception to every rule, those should be removed immediately, regardless of season. Waiting on a hanging limb is a risk to your property and the people around it.
When in doubt, give a local crew a call for a free estimate. We'll walk your property and tell you exactly what needs attention now and what can wait.