Despite the winter weather, pruning can still be done this time of the year, and in some cases, it is the best time of the year to do so. But in the winter time? Pruning trees and bushes in the winter can provide some benefits that cannot be provided any other time of the year.
During the winter, the bush is not actively growing. So when a bush is pruned during the winter, the plant’s hormones will not be telling the plant to create new growth for what was just removed. This means that you can prune large or small amounts of material out of the plant without excessive growth.
Some plants that can take heavy pruning, especially in the dormant months of winter are burning bushes, lilacs, cherries, crabapples, pears, etc. Bushes like the burning bush and lilacs, just to name a couple, can be pruned almost to the ground during the winter if the plant has grown too big over time.
Winter pruning is especially helpful for oaks also. Oak wilt can be a big problem for the tree. However, if you prune an oak in the winter months, then you will not need to cover the fresh cut because oak wilt is not active during the winter. You are not risking the oak’s health.
Not all plants should be pruned in the winter though. Plants that flower on old growth need that old growth for flowering. Some varieties of hydrangeas are this way for example. it is best to know before you prune so you don’t lose any beautiful blooms.
Winter pruning may be a job that sounds cold, which it is, but pruning while the plant is dormant can provide some benefits not only to the plant, but also to you.