Winter pruning

Late winter and early spring is a great time, even the best time for many deciduous trees and shrubs to be pruned.

Why is late winter or early spring a good time to prune?

In temperate regions like Victoria, most plants go dormant in the winter. Going dormant means the plants have halted growth for the season. Pruning during dormancy makes it easier for the plants to recover. It also encourages healthy growth when spring comes.

Pruning flowering shrubs

The most important question when deciding when to prune a particular shrub is when does the shrub flower? Shrubs that produce flowers should be pruned soon after they flower. If you prune before they flower you will be cutting of the flower buds. Shrubs that flower in the spring should be pruned afterwards in late spring or summer. Shrubs that flower in the summer should be pruned in fall.

What does new wood mean?

Shrubs that flower on new wood create their buds on new growth. These plants have flower buds present for just a few months, which is why they have a larger window to be pruned.

In late winter/early spring you’ll want to prune shrubs whose flower buds form on new wood, so the growth will occur in the coming spring. Some of these shrubs include:

• Smooth and panicle hydrangeas
• Butterfly bush
• Roses
• Dogwood

What does old wood mean?

Shrubs that flower on old wood flower on mature branches. The buds take a long time to develop and are present on the plant for most of the year. The only appropriate time to prune these shrubs is immediately after flowering, and before the new buds begin to form.

In late spring/early summer you’ll want to prune shrubs whose flower buds form on old wood, so the buds can form on the old wood. Some of these shrubs include:

• Lilacs
• Mock orange
• Rhododendrons
• Forsythia

Pruning trees during winter

Shrubs such as boxwoods, yew, arborvitae and trees such as spruce, fir, and cedar can be pruned during winter. Shade trees such as oaks, willows, maples, and birches should also be pruned in winter or early spring. Spring flowering trees such as magnolia, dogwood, and cherry should not be pruned until after they have flowered.

Winter pruning tips

• Prune on a dry day to prevent water damage
• Remove dead or diseased branches first
• Remove smaller branches and overgrowth to allow light and air to the crown