Pruning is the process of selectively removing branches from trees and shrubs. Removing discolored or overcrowded branches will promote fresh, healthy growth and improve the plant's structure. Devoting this time to your tree can promote long-term growth and health. It also provides an overall unified and elegant look for the safety of your plants and possessions. Savana will show you tips for pruning trees and shrubs in winter.
Refresh your Trees and Shrubs for Clean Spring Growth
Although it may seem counterintuitive, winter pruning is beneficial for trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs are still getting ready for early spring growth despite the cold weather leaving trees without leaves and flowers blooming. It's also easier to see the shape and structure of a shrub or tree after the leaves have fallen over the winter, making pruning a breeze. To help your plants prepare for spring, it's a good idea to prune off some shoots from the past season.
Deep winter pruning promotes rapid spring regrowth, protects against lingering or overwintering pests and diseases in dead leaves, and prevents overcrowding of foliage. When the foliage and flowers bloom in spring, remove overcrowded branches to allow the necessary sunlight and breeze to spread among the plants.
Flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs especially want late winter/early spring before their new buds appear. This will ensure sweet flowers and a good harvest.
How to successfully prune your plants:
Before You Begin
- Start with a sharp, clean blade. Be sure to clean your foliage after pruning so diseases don't spread from plant to plant.
- Pruning is best done on a mild, sunny, dry day to allow the wound to dry and fully heal. Pruning on dry days helps prevent the spread of waterborne plant diseases or damage from low temperatures.
- stay safe. Make sure to wear goggles throughout, as working in trees can be dangerous.
- It is ideal to have a good approach and style for your plants before you prune, so plan what you want to cut before you start.
What to Cut
- Locate and remove any diseased or dead branches, cutting at a 45-degree angle. It's a good idea to trim branches that cross, overgrow, or where they aren't needed (over the house, over the driveway, or on the sidewalk).
- Start removing larger branches and move on to the smallest branches. Leave branches that maintain the shape of the tree so that the pruning looks natural.
- To increase airflow and light, remove twigs in the center of the tree near the trunk.
- A natural, elegant style in which low-branched trees are left unpruned, maintaining the plant's natural silhouette. Keep all plant features to look the most natural and beautiful.
- Look for insects and diseases. During the winter months, you may see both. Both can be seen. Trim insects to avoid possible infestation. Check the entire plant for disease. Look for any signs of changes in color, shape or function.
- Another or attract bugs to the new pruning wound.
Where to Cut
- When pruning, be sure to cut above a visible bud or leaf scar to encourage branching below where the tree was pruned.
- Cut branches at nodes where one branch connects to another. The main goal is to preserve the branches maintaining the tree structure.
- Timing: Work efficiently and efficiently for successful pruning. Take breaks throughout the process to see if the plant looks symmetrical. You can always take more off the plant, but you can't put it back on. Working hard and accurately will give you the best results and keep your tree looking balanced.
- Disinfect tools: After pruning, wipe with alcohol and water to prevent the spread of disease between wounds.
- Best Time to Prune: Winter is a good time to prune because it's easier when the plant has no leaves. In a cold environment, there is less risk of spreading disease from one plant to another or attracting bugs to new pruning wounds.
Some shrubs and trees prefer pruning rather than just cutting off some branches, such as:
- Butterfly bushes – place all stems in the ground. This shrub grows and recovers quickly.
- Crape Myrtle - Removing only dead or dead branches, this tree rarely needs pruning.
- Smooth Hydrangea - Can be clipped to the ground, which encourages larger blooms.
- Mophead hydrangeas – should not be pruned unless very old. Remove dead or dead branches if necessary.
- Hollies and Arborvitae – Remove damaged branches and bring them to desired shape, using green trim and pruning.
- Pine trees – like to prune in early spring or summer, so winter pruning is not recommended!
Pruning adds the final touch of beauty and balance
A little attention now will pay off in spring when your trees and shrubs are lush and blooming
