Many homeowners believe they can put their landscaping maintenance duties on hold once winter arrives. However, winter is the ideal time of year to prune many plants, trees, and shrubs because they’re dormant. Pruning not only helps improve the safety of your property but also encourages stronger growth, prevents disease, and beautifies shapes. The following guide explains the correct way to prune this season. 

Winter Pruning Tips 

How to Prune Properly 

Although pruning decisions and tools should be tailored to each plant, there are a few general rules to abide by. It’s best to prune on a cool day to reduce the amount of stress placed on a plant. Cut all broken, dead, or diseased limbs at the point of origin. Also, remove cross branches that are rubbing against one another and sprouts growing at the base of tree trunks. Next, make training cuts to help your trees and shrubs develop into desired shapes. Trees should never be pruned partway through a branch between nodes. This can lead to growth of fungi and cause  decay and death.

What to Prune

Although winter is one of the best times to prune, make sure you’re pruning the right plants. Shrub willows, laurel hedges, smoke bushes, and red twig dogwoods can be pruned to stimulate vigorous new growth if they’ve become overgrown. Fruit trees should be pruned to open them up to better light and air circulation, which will help maximize fruit production. Cut back landscaping perennials and grasses to a few inches above the ground, but avoid cutting any newly emerging green shoots. Although evergreens may be pruned for shape, take care not to cut into old wood because it may not resprout. Landscapers usually recommend that oak, crab apple, and elm trees be pruned in winter to prevent pest and disease infestations.

If you have questions about pruning a plant, shrub, or tree, reach out to Lakeview Garden Center & Landscaping for help. They have extensive industry knowledge and will arm you with the information and tools necessary to keep your landscaping looking its best. Located in Fairfield, OH, they’ve provided homeowners throughout Greater Cincinnati with high-quality products and services for more than 30 years. Call (513) 829-6624 to speak with the staff, or visit them online to learn more about the various plants they carry.