Can fir tree be pruned in late spring?

[Rebecca]

Our neighbours promised last year they would get their huge fir tree cut back. It is on the boundary and takes a lot of our sun in the evening. As they havent had it done yet and we desperately want as much sun as poss this summer would it be ok for us to suggest having it cut back now (we offer to pay half)?

Ive read everywhere that winter is best time but would we be damaging the tree and its potential health by cutting back now?

Many thanks for your thoughts. Beccie

[Travis M.]

What do you mean by "cut back"? If you mean cutting off the top that would be bad for the tree. If you mean windowing, that would be OK. Windowing means to remove some branches.

The paragraph below is from:

views by "windowing" or "crown raising." "Windowing" is defined as removing several branches symmetrically within an area of the tree. By carefully choosing which branches to cut, and making proper pruning cuts, you can leave a window in a tree that provides a fully framed view and also maintain the health of the tree. "Crown raising," or "skirting," is the removal of lower branches to open up a view. To maintain a healthy tree, do not remove more than 25 percent of the canopy of a tree at one time.

[symplastless]

Pruning

John A. Keslick, Jr. Arborist Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology. Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us that we are not the boss.