Many people, both homeowners and professionals, prune their trees and bushes in the winter. But is winter really the best time to prune trees? This guide will look at the pros and cons of pruning trees in winter and help you decide if it’s right for your yard.
When is Winter Pruning Recommended?
Winter is generally considered the best time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs in temperate climates Here are some of the main reasons why winter pruning is recommended
- Trees are dormant so pruning won’t stimulate new growth that could be damaged by cold weather.
- It’s easier to see the branching structure without leaves in the way.
- Potential spread of disease is minimized since pathogens are also dormant.
- Pruning wounds close quicker when cuts are made just before spring growth starts.
- Access is easier across frozen ground if heavy equipment is needed.
- Removal of dead, damaged or diseased wood makes trees less susceptible to breaking under heavy snow or ice.
- Fruit trees can be pruned to maximize yield.
There is less stress and risk of damage to the tree when it is pruned in the winter.
When Should You Avoid Winter Pruning?
While winter is ideal for most pruning jobs, there are some exceptions:
- Avoid pruning maples and birches in late winter as they bleed significant sap.
- Prune summer-flowering shrubs like hydrangeas only after blooming since flower buds emerge on old wood.
- Wait to prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs like azaleas, lilacs and forsythia until after flowering.
- Prune evergreens like pine and spruce in early summer when they are actively growing.
In these cases, pruning in winter would remove the flowering or leaf buds needed for spring growth.
Benefits of Winter Tree Pruning
Let’s take a more in-depth look at why pruning in winter can be beneficial
Improved Visibility
Once leaves drop in autumn, it’s much easier to assess the overall branching structure, defects, and dead or damaged limbs. Without the foliage in the way, you can clearly see areas that need pruning.
Enhanced Recovery
Because trees are fully dormant in winter, pruning wounds will heal quickly when growth resumes in spring. The new cells grow rapidly over the cut area before insects or disease can penetrate.
Reduced Disease Spread
Many bacterial and fungal diseases thrive during the growing season and easily enter fresh wounds. Pruning in winter allows cuts to seal before these pathogens become active again.
Lower Sap Flow
Sap flow is very low during winter dormancy, so pruning won’t remove significant energy reserved for spring growth. Heavy sap loss can weaken trees.
Improved Accessibility
Frozen, firm ground allows heavy equipment to be used without soil compaction. Trucks and cranes can move easily for major pruning jobs or whole tree removal.
Better Structure
With full visibility into the branching structure, unnecessary or problematic limbs can be removed to improve structural integrity. This prevents future damage during snow and ice storms.
Increased Fruit Production
Fruit trees like apples and peaches often need vigorous corrective pruning during winter to maximize their fruit production for the coming season.
Enhanced Safety
Removing dead, damaged or diseased branches prevents injury or property damage if they break off under heavy snow. Upright growth habits can also be corrected.
More Wood for Projects
Pruning off unwanted branches provides an excellent source of firewood or wood material for DIY projects. The straight sections removed often make great walking sticks too.
Potential Downsides of Winter Pruning
Of course, pruning trees in winter does come with a few cautions:
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Some trees, like maples, may have branches that hang down from the wounds, making the tree look bad until it heals.
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Heavy pruning just before spring growth can cause excessive sap dripping on certain species.
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Snow or ice storms after pruning may cause damage if large cuts were made.
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When you prune trees wrong, you might leave stubs, remove bark, or make other mistakes that cause disease or damage to the structure.
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Power lines or homes may be damaged if large branches fall unexpectedly.
Tips for Safe, Effective Winter Tree Pruning
Follow these tips to get great results from pruning your trees during winter:
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Prune on mild, dry days above freezing to avoid further damage to wounds.
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Sterilize pruning tools between trees to prevent disease spread.
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Make clean cuts just outside branch collars without leaving stubs.
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Remove broken, dead or hazardous branches first to reduce safety risks.
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Don’t remove more than 25% of the tree’s overall branching to prevent stress.
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Hire an ISA Certified Arborist if large limbs need removal or the work is over your head.
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Check for overhead wires or property that could be damaged by falling branches.
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Never “top” trees by cutting main leader stems—this causes harmful decay.
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Consider leaving pruned branches as wildlife brush piles if they don’t pose a hazard.
Signs Your Tree Needs Professional Winter Pruning
Look for these signs that your tree may require assessment and pruning by a qualified arborist:
- Dead, broken or hanging branches in the canopy.
- Cracks, cavities or weak branch unions.
- Previous improper pruning cuts leaving stubs or bark wounds.
- Abundant sprouting growth near the base or on the trunk.
- Obvious asymmetry, leaning or other structural issues.
- History of damaged limbs dropping during storms.
- Proximity to homes, garages, power lines or other risks.
Neglecting necessary pruning or improper cuts made by homeowners often create lasting damage. Hiring an ISA Certified Arborist provides proper pruning for tree health and safety.
Winter pruning has many benefits for tree health and structural integrity when done properly. But it also comes with some risks, so caution is needed. Follow the guidelines covered here to determine if pruning your trees in winter is recommended. If in doubt, hire a professional rather than risk harming your landscape treasures. With the right approach, you can keep your trees thriving for years to come.
Why we prune plants Examples of good branch cuts. Notice the donut-like ring left after the branch is removed. This is the collar and it is important for healing over the wound.
- We prune to improve plant form.
- When you prune, you can get rid of branch stubs, dead or dying branches, and branches that have been damaged by disease, animals, storms, or other mechanical damage.
- Branches that cross each other often get hurt when they rub against each other. These cuts let bugs and diseases get under the bark and into the stems, which will hurt the plant in the long run.
- Pruning trees opens up their canopy, letting more light and air reach the stems and branches. More light means more flowers, leaves and fruits. Bacterial and fungal pathogens can’t spread disease when there is more light and air.
Late winter is a good time to prune most plants. As of now, both plants and their pests are dormant. This means that pruning cuts can be made without worrying about pests and pathogens getting into the tree through the cut.
What plants can be pruned now? A shrub in need of pruning
- Maple
- Oak
- Elm
- Crabapple, apples
- Hawthorne
- Mountain ash
- Ash
- Butternut and walnut
- Birch
- Beech
- Ironwood
- Linden
Evergreens like spruce, pine and fir rarely require pruning. However, spruce can be pruned in late winter as can arborvitae, juniper, cypress, yews and hemlocks in late winter or early spring. Loosely shear dense evergreens like arborvitae by removing just the newer growth. This allows for light to reach the inside of the plant.
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FAQ
What happens if you trim a tree in winter?
Winter pruning helps shape your trees to grow in the manner best for your property — whether that be to avoid interfering with structures or walkways or to …Jan 2, 2019.
When should you not prune a tree?
Fall or Winter Pruning For most species, autumn and winter are not good times to prune because the tree is either dormant or going dormant; and shifting its resources to fortify its roots, resulting in less available nutrients for wound healing and fighting disease through the open cuts.
What trees not to prune in winter?
Also, trees like birch, elm, and maple that have sap that flows freely and bleeds after pruning shouldn’t be pruned in late winter or early spring.
What temperature is too cold to prune trees?
It’s best to avoid pruning trees when temperatures drop below 20°F (-6°C) as the extreme cold can shock the tree and damage exposed tissue. Dec 22, 2023.