Even though the ash is a very frugal deciduous tree, it requires a little care. Trees in particular often require regular pruning due to their strong growth. How often you should use scissors and to what length you shorten the branches depends on the type of tree. Read here whether and when pruning the ash tree is necessary.
When and how should you prune an ash tree?
Pruning the ash tree is recommended in spring (end of February to beginning of March) before budding. Concentrate on thinning the crown and make sure to shorten the branches evenly. Make sure you comply with legal requirements and obtain necessary permission.
When is pruning necessary?
Since ash trees grow very straight and regularly, radical pruning is not absolutely necessary. However, the prerequisite is that your garden offers enough space. With a growth height of up to 40 meters, ash trees are not only one of the largest deciduous trees in Germany, but they also literally shoot up in a short time. If the sprawling crown gets in the way of parts of the building, you should definitely shorten the branches for your safety.
The right time
The ash tree is best cut in early spring at the end of February or beginning of March. It is important that the pruning takes place before sprouting.
Important information
When cutting the ash tree, you should pay attention to the following:
- To reach the branches of the high-lying crown, you need a sturdy ladder (€149.00 on Amazon)
- a radical pruning is often not necessary. Limit yourself to thinning the crown
- Stop your work temporarily and check from a distance whether you have cut the branches evenly in terms of their length. You can even be legally asked to pay for a wild cut that disfigures the ash tree
- If you are inexperienced, it is best to get help from a gardening company
Legal regulations
The Federal Nature Conservation Act stipulates that ash trees may only be cut with permission from the relevant authority. The primary aim is to protect animals for which the deciduous tree serves as a habitat. The regulations vary from state to state. You should therefore check with the responsible authority beforehand.
