By the Safer Trees Melbourne team · Updated 16/09/2026
The right time to prune depends on the tree and what you want from the pruning. Melbourne's climate gives us a fairly clear calendar for the most common species.
Winter: deciduous trees
Once the leaves have dropped, trees such as elms, oaks, maples, liquidambars and ornamental pears are dormant. With the canopy bare we can see the structure clearly, and the tree puts its energy into sealing wounds when growth starts again in spring. Winter is also the main pruning season for pome fruit trees such as apples and pears.
After flowering: spring bloomers
Flowering cherries, magnolias and many flowering shrubs set their buds the year before. Prune them straight after they finish flowering so you do not cut off next year's display.
Late summer: stone fruit
Apricots, cherries and other stone fruit are usually best pruned after harvest in dry weather. This reduces the risk of fungal diseases entering fresh cuts during wet winter conditions.
Natives and evergreens
Gums and most other evergreen natives can be pruned at almost any time of year. We tend to avoid the hottest weeks of summer, when trees are already under stress, and heavy pruning immediately before winter storms.
Hedges
Most hedges respond best to a main trim in late spring after the first flush of growth and a lighter tidy in late summer or early autumn. Fast growers may need an extra trim in between.
Any time: safety pruning
Dead, damaged and hazardous limbs should be removed whenever they are found. The season never outweighs safety.
Not sure about your tree?
Tell us the species, or send a photo, and we will suggest the best timing when we quote. Learn more about our tree pruning and hedge trimming services.