Correct pruning in your garden is an essential skill that will enhance the health, vigor, and aesthetics of your trees and shrubs. When you prune correctly you encourage healthy growth and flowering. For most plants in helps to prune at the right time. Winter is a great time for a lot of deciduous plants to begin pruning.
In select plants, pruning in the winter promotes fast regrowth in the spring as most plants are dormant during the winter. Most of the diseases and insects that can potentially invade pruning cuts are also dormant during this time. However if you prune to early, you can disrupt the growth cycle of your plants. Potentially stimulating new growth that may not harden off before the cold weather.
Pruning is also made easier in the winter. Damaged or diseased branches are clearly visible when not obscured by foliage. Make sure to prune these branches first as it will help preserve your plants. As well after leaves have fallen off, it’s much easier to see the plants overall form. You goal is to keep the branches that establish the structure of the tree.
