I just moved to Evanston from Big Piney. My new to me house has several trees that had been badly neglected and over grown. I don't know what all of them are, but I have some kind of apple, a Canadian choke cherry and several Quakies that I can ID. Two weeks ago the choke cherry got a "hair cut" and last night the quakies met Mr. Chain Saw. All branches below about 6' off the ground are now on the ground. I guess I should have checked on the proper time and method of trimming BEFORE I started but I couldn't stand them any more. I havn't truched the apple tree yet, but I have a few others that are going to get worked on unless someone tells me now is not the time to do it.

 

I always trim the trees around our farm this time of year. they should be good

 

Also if they are trying to die you can buy some tree spikes tree food. They do help some.

 

I would agree that this would be alright, I do mine in the spring when it warms up however just at the time they are starting to show sighns of waking up. I would suggest not to cut too far back into the tree as to exspose too much flesh but if done you can get a paste that will cover nicely and protect against bugs.