Timing

• The University of Minnesota Extension advises pruning young trees when you first plant them to prevent future issues and to help them develop a better overall structure. The extension suggests that growers wait for the first dormant season after planting to start training trees, cutting them to shape, opening space between branches and removing crossed branches.
  
  

Warnings

• Pruning near power lines requires the professional skills of a worker from the utility that owns the lines. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension advises that owners of large trees consult an arborist.
  
  

Fruit Trees

• Fruit trees require annual attention. Proper training of the trees eliminates much of the need for later pruning and leads to improved fruit quality, notes the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.