Dos and Don’ts for Winter Pruning By Paul Gellatly
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ANUARY and February when trees and shrubs are fully dormant is the best time for winter pruning. With no leaves you can see form and shape much easier than with them. Here is a list of Dos and Don’ts to make winter pruning as simple as possible. DOS
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Always have a reason to prune; not just because you want to spend some time in the garden. Always use clean, sharp secateurs to prevent disease and ensure clean cuts.
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Dip your pruners/ secateurs in rubbing alcohol, or one part bleach to nine parts water, between trees, or if you are removing any noticeably diseased areas after every cut. This will help stop the spread of the disease to other parts of the tree, or other trees. Always be safe, wear eye protection and know your limits. If it’s a big job, consider bringing in a professional arborist. Remove any diseased/ damaged branches. Remove waterspouts (upright growing
branches that form on the trunk or side branches). Remove suckers (shoots that develop at or near the base). When branches cross/ chafe, remove the less important branch. Always prune back to an outward facing bud. Prune neither too far away from nor too close to the bud. Keeping a 2.5 cm distance from the bud is safe. Cut so the slope is away from the bud. This will ensure any water runs off, preventing rot. Prune Group 3 Clematis (late summer flowering) in February by cutting them to 7.5 to 10 cm from the ground. Because these bloom on current year’s growth, if you do not remove last year’s it ends up looking very heavy and messy. Remove old raspberry canes, prune grape vines
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and remove the oldest stems from fruit bushes. Healthy younger branches produce more fruit. • Prune Hydrangea paniculata back hard in the winter, as they bloom on new wood, to promote strong growth and additional flowers. • Summer blooming shrubs, such as potentilla and buddleia should be pruned in the winter. Because they bloom on new growth, you can even cut them right down to the ground and they should still flower this summer. • Major pruning on foliage shrubs, such as burning bush and barberry, should be done when they are dormant in the winter. But these can really be pruned any time except late fall. Pruning helps to flush out new foliage and allows in more light.
PHOTOS: PAUL GELLATLY
SEASONAL TIPS
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