Sometime after the New Year’s celebration, much of New England hunkers down to endure the long stretch of winter. Often thought of as a quiet time, punctuated only by school vacations and Valentine’s Day, many people find themselves gazing longingly out their kitchen windows, waiting for the first signs of spring to emerge. However, horticulturists and arborists know this season as a highly productive period for winter pruning.
Why Prune in Winter?
When you prune during the traditional growing season, you must be mindful of how it affects the plant’s overall health. Pruning signals the plant to direct energy toward growth at that specific point, which can leave it vulnerable to pests, disease, or damage from unseasonal temperature swings. By contrast, winter pruning allows for better control over a plant’s structure and health without triggering unnecessary growth.
The Benefits of Winter Pruning
Most woody landscape plants benefit from one of the following types of winter pruning:
Regenerative Pruning – This involves cutting back one-third of the old canes to promote new growth. It’s particularly effective for yellow and red twig dogwoods, as it encourages more vibrant color in both types! Other plants that benefit from regenerative pruning include blueberries, ninebark, and lilacs. While pruning lilacs may initially reduce flowering, the plant will ultimately be healthier and more robust.
Structural Pruning – This type of pruning removes branches that cross, rub, or grow in undesirable directions. Smaller landscape trees, such as Japanese maples, are perfect candidates for structural pruning. These trees particularly appreciate this winter touch!
Thinning Pruning – Speaking of Japanese maples, they also benefit from thinning. Dense branching—common in Japanese maples and crabapples—can restrict airflow within the canopy, creating ideal conditions for fungal infections. Plants in the Rosaceae family also exhibit this tendency, making them strong candidates for thinning to reduce the severity of fungal diseases.
Reduction Pruning – In the Northeast, many well-established landscape plantings have grown vigorously, often obscuring views or crowding foundation beds. Reduction pruning can help manage these overgrown shrubs by decreasing their height, circumference, or both. Rhododendrons and viburnums are typical candidates for this technique.
Not all growth is beneficial. Over time, plants can develop thin, wispy branches that contribute little to their structure or aesthetic appeal. Reduction pruning helps restore a plant’s natural form, concentrating growth toward its healthier, denser center. Winter, when trees and shrubs have shed their leaves, is the ideal time for this work since the plant’s shape is clearly visible.
Get Ahead of Spring
Now you know—you don’t have to wait until spring to think about your gardens and landscapes! While spring clean-up is important, much of the foundational work that helps woody plants thrive can be accomplished through winter pruning.
At a Blade of Grass, we love incorporating winter pruning into our comprehensive year-round plant care. By taking advantage of this dormant season, you can ensure that your landscape is healthier, stronger, and more beautiful when spring finally arrives.
