Mild, winter days are a good time to tackle some of the more structural pruning that may be needed on mature shrubs and trees. Now that the leaves have dropped from deciduous woody plants, you can easily assess the shape and position of the branches and stems, and thin out any that are overcrowded – including large limbs, if necessary. This will benefit the health of the plant and also to let more light through to anything that’s growing underneath.

Advertisement

Sap flow in the branches and stems will have slowed or even stopped by late November or the start of December, and making cuts on woody plants in early winter, while the weather is still reasonably mild will allow time for the wounds to dry before any serious frosts. Frost getting into fresh pruning cuts is likely to cause tissues to split and result in die back. This in turn often leads the death of the buds immediately below the cut itself.

More winter pruning advice:

Sponsored content

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement