Ah the art of winter pruning – yes it truly is an art. Finding the sculptural form of each plant hidden by waterspouts, suckers and the occasional left over brown leaves. It takes a keen eye and sound understanding of the plant’s intended form to be a successful winter pruner. Far too many shrubs and trees are mangled each year by too much chopping and not enough thinking. To position your garden for a robust spring, and save your space from being set back 2-4 years by over pruning, check out the following do’s and don’ts of winter pruning.
DO: Remove branches that are crossing and rubbing against each other. Prune out one, the other, or even both.
DON’T: Do not remove more than 1/3 of the plant. Over-thinning creates serious problems for the form and aesthetic of your garden.
DO: Look for evidence of pests and diseases and prune accordingly.
DON’T: Do not leave nubs! Nubs are stems without a node, no node means no growth.
DO: Remove deadwood – it looks yucky and serves as a breeding ground for pests and disease.
DON’T: Do not prune with dull tools leaving rough cuts or tears. Smooth cuts, made by sharp tools, heal faster!
DO: Remove water sprouts and unnatural growth.
DON’T: Do not go to town on some poor plant while pruning, then stand back and see that the shrub is destroyed! Think, prune, step back, analyze, repeat.
DO: (Again) Think before you cut! What will you be pruning out? The main leader? Do you want the main leader gone? Think twice, cut once. There’s no going back once the lopers fall.
DON’T: Do not cut into or damage the bark of other branches or the trunk. Just inside the bark is the cambium and phloem which transports nutrients up and down the tree.
DO: Understand the form and function of the tree or shrub. Is it a screen? Ornamental piece? Focal point? Specimen? (Understanding the purpose of your shrub or tree while purchasing plant material can save you a lot of pruning time. If you intend to have a foundation planting under a 3 foot window, save yourself some time and don’t plant a 6 foot shrub. Pruning down a shrub by half it’s mature height takes a lot more time and energy then simply selecting the right sized plant in the first place.)
DON’T: Winter prune something you can’t handle.
DO: Call a professional if in doubt 402-457-6492
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