Early and Often Wins the Race
Written by: Kyle Babicky, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, WI-0889B
Posted: 2025 | Tree and Shrub Care | Tree and Shrub Pruning | Winter
Homeowners often want to know, “What is a low maintenance, fast-growing shade tree for my yard?”. An honest arborist would respond with a few ideas, but there would be hesitation regarding the “low maintenance” part of the initial question. The hesitation is that with any fast-growing tree, there is still required maintenance that is often underestimated: proper structural pruning!
The hesitation is that with any fast-growing tree, there is still required maintenance that is often underestimated: proper structural pruning!
Fast-growing trees are genetically programmed to win the race for sunlight. They are the Hare of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ fable. Some examples of fast-growing trees are: ‘Autumn Blaze’ Freeman Maple, Elms, London Planetree, and young Oaks.
With these trees, a lack of proper pruning inevitably leads to competing vertical growth, called co-dominant stems. A structurally strong tree ideally has one main vertical stem, with smaller lateral branches growing outward. Fast-growing trees develop co-dominant stems which lead to weakened branch structure. These weakened branch attachments can often peel apart in high winds or heavy snow.
Co-dominant stems can be managed on any tree if it is properly pruned early and often. How often depends on the growth rate. Growth rate is determined mostly by age, species, and environment. A young Autumn Blaze Maple in healthy soil will benefit from pruning every 1-2 years. As they mature, that cycle can reduce to every 2-4 years, and eventually every 3-5 years. While that may sound like a lot, routine pruning early in a tree’s life saves time and money in the long run. Reactive pruning after a tree has developed poor structure is more tedious and stressful on a tree when compared to gentle corrections every few years. Proactive, regular pruning also results in a stronger, healthier tree.
Dormant Season, while the leaves are off, is a wonderful opportunity to examine the branching of your trees and check for any structural issues. If it has been more than three years since your trees have been evaluated for pruning, call Wachtel Tree Science to have your ISA Certified Arborist assess your trees for pruning recommendations.
Freeman maple before pruning (left) and after pruning (right)
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