Basically, you don't have to cut individual beech trees at all. They grow best in their natural form. However, pruning may become necessary if the tree has become too large or is affected by disease. What you need to consider when pruning a beech tree.
When and how should you prune a beech tree?
A beech tree should ideally be pruned on a frost-free day in February or more easily in July. Carefully cut the side branches, shorten the crown by a maximum of 2.50 meters and cover large areas with artificial bark.
When is the best time to prune?
If you want to cut back a beech tree, you should choose a frost-free day in February. From March the beech will sprout again. It would bleed if pruned later, meaning it would lose a lot of plant sap.
Lighter pruning is still possible at the end of July. However, only smaller branches should be removed.
If the beech suffers from diseases, it is advisable to cut out affected parts of the tree immediately.
Prune beeches correctly
In most cases, the aim of pruning is to reduce the size of the crown or give it a more pleasing shape.
When pruning the beech, carefully shorten the side branches so that a side branch always remains at the end. Then the tree sprouts well and the interfaces are no longer visible after a short time.
You should shorten a fully grown beech tree by a maximum of 2.50 meters. If the tree is still too large, spread the pruning over several years.
Do not prune the crown too much
When cutting back the beech crown, care must be taken to ensure that the cut is not too severe. The trunk must not be exposed to strong sunlight, but should also be shaded after the leaves have been cut. Otherwise there is a risk that the beech trunk will suffer from sunburn.
Don't thin out the crown too much because the thin beech branches and their leaves help supply the tree with nutrients.
Cover large wounds with artificial bark
Beech trees are very robust deciduous trees. However, if entire branches are cut during pruning, pests and fungi can get in.
Always cover large interfaces with artificial tree bark.
Tip
Before cutting back a beech tree in summer, check whether birds are nesting in the crown. If necessary, you should postpone cutting until a later date.
