November is a great time of year for tidying up of any deciduous trees you may have in your garden. After the leaves fall off the tree it goes into a state of dormancy and is therefore ideal for any necessary pruning. Pruning at this time of year prevent excessive sap which can happen if done in early spring-time.
Try to maintain an attractive shape by cutting off new shoots that have grown at odd angles during the past year from the top of the trunk.
Also check for shoots at the bottom of the trunk as this can rob the tree of essential nutrients.
Cut larger branches near to the base of the parent stem, but ensure you leave about an inch to allow for the branch to die back a little, without affecting the main branch. It may be better to cut off larger branches in two or more cuts, especially if you are using steps to reach.
Useful tools are branch loppers or a small branch pruning saw. For larger trees, or gardens with many trees it may be worthwhile investing in electric tools such as a reciprocating saw or chainsaw for the really big jobs.
