white pine

[trapper]

when is the proper time to remove a couple of the lower branches on white pine in my yard to make mowing easier? branches about 1 1/2 in thick.

[nativewolf]

when they hit your head 

[Clark]

Winter.

[Don P]

One rule of thumb I was taught was never remove more than 1/3 of the crown.

[Ianab]

I don't think "when" matters as much has how. Cut the branch just clear clear of the "collar" or bulge around the base of the branch. Too far out, and the stub takes too long to heal over, too close to trunk and the scar is bigger than needed (and also takes time to heal over). The quicker the tree can seal the wound the less chance of rot getting started. 

[Clark]

When matters due to white pine blister rust. So the dormant season is best.

Clark

[saskatchewanman]

When matters due to white pine blister rust. So the dormant season is best.

Clark

I wonder if in really cold areas, autumn or early winter pruning makes the exposed tissues more susceptible to cold damage. I have no real hard knowledge on this. Any opinion or thoughts?

[saskatchewanman]

I've always avoided pruning just before winter out of fear that it may induce winter damage. However, this is the period I have the most time to prune. Perhaps I have been unnecessarily cautious.

[GullyBog]

best advice I've heard is prune when the knife is sharp

[thecfarm]

I have a lot of eastern white pine on my land. I have cut branches off many of the scrub ones many times, spring, summer, fall and winter. Never had a problem, yet.

[KEC]

Another rule is to cut it off out a bit from where your final cut will be so it doesn't tear by the cut, then when you make the final cut it will be neat and clean.

[peakbagger]

The pruning technique showed to me long ago was do a short cut under the branch just outside the collar and then cut from the top, the first cut stops the tearing. 

I never heard any recommendations for time of year.  

[Ron Scott]

The best time of year to prune or trim pine is after the trees have "hardened off" in the fall. Our rule of thump here is generally the period from September 15-April 1st. Its a good winter work project.

[maple man]

Sorry I don't know how to quote individual posts. 

The comment about pruning season as regards blister rust seems odd. I thought blister rust spores enter the tree through the the needles not through wounds. On the other hand if you see brown "flags" in branches pruning off the branch can keep the rust from reaching the trunk.