When to Prune your Trees and Bushes: Fall or Spring?

Today we are going to dive into the basics of when to prune your trees and bushes and provide a guide on how to properly prune different types of trees and bushes.

So many people are confused as to when to cut back trees and shrubs.

Pruning is a fundamental aspect of maintaining the health, aesthetics, and overall vitality of your landscape. According to the University of New Hampshire, some of the main reasons for pruning are maintaining plant vigor, creating and preserving good structure, increasing fruit and flower production, improving health, enhancing ornamental characteristics, and limiting plant size.

Most of the time, deciduous trees and bushes should be pruned in the winter or early spring when they are dormant, but there are a few exceptions. Read on to find out. 

While it might seem counterintuitive to trim plants during the dormant months, winter and very early spring actually offer the ideal window for this essential task for most trees and shrubs.

The Winter Pruning Advantage 

1. Dormant State: During the winter, most bushes and trees enter a state of dormancy. This means they are not actively growing or producing leaves and flowers.

Pruning during this period minimizes stress on the plants since they aren't expending energy on growth. This allows them to heal more effectively after being pruned.

2. Clear Visibility: Without the cloak of leaves, the structure of the plant is more visible in winter. This is crucial for making precise cuts, as you can better assess which branches need removal to improve airflow, sunlight penetration, and overall shape.

3. Disease and Pest Control: Many pests and diseases are also dormant during winter. Pruning during this time reduces the risk of transmitting diseases and attracts fewer pests that are otherwise attracted to fresh pruning wounds.

4. Promoting Growth:Pruning in winter stimulates new growth as the plant comes out of dormancy.

According to Penn State Extension, pruning stimulates new growth, so late summer and fall pruning are not desirable pruning times as new growth at that time of year is subject to winter injury. 

But there are always Exceptions to the RULES.....

When to prune fruit trees?

Apple, pear, cherry, and other fruit trees benefit from late winter pruning. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.

Thin out overcrowded areas to allow sunlight to reach the interior branches. This enhances fruit production and minimizes the risk of fungal infections.

When to Prune Deciduous Trees?

Generally in the dormant season of winter or early spring. 

Pruning during this period minimizes stress on the plants since they aren't expending energy on growth. This allows them to heal more effectively after being pruned.

When to Prune Flowering Deciduous Trees?

If your trees flower before the end of June, prune them immediately after flowering.

If your trees flower after June, prune them in winter or early spring before the new growth. 

When to Prune Deciduous Flowering Shrubs

Flowering Shrubs:

For shrubs that bloom on new wood, such as butterfly bushes, roses, and rose of sharon, prune in late winter/early spring to encourage fresh growth and abundant blooms.

For shrubs that bloom on old wood, like lilacs, forsythia, and rhododendron, prune right after they finish flowering in spring.

Trees and shrubs that flower before the end of June should be pruned immediately after flowering.

butterfly bush: prune in late winter

When to Prune Evergreens?

Prune evergreens like pine, spruce, and fir in late winter to early spring before or just as the new growth emerges. Pinch or shear back the tips of branches to shape the tree and control its size.

According to K-State Research and Extension, "Never prune deeper into an evergreen than where the green growth is showing".

When to Prune Hedges?

 Trim hedges or deciduous bushes in late winter to early spring before new growth appears. Maintain a slightly tapered shape, with the base slightly wider than the top to ensure sunlight reaches all parts of the hedge.

If needed, a second shearing can be done in mid-summer.  Avoid extensive pruning after mid-summer as it will promote new growth that cannot harden off well before winter arrives

Hedges: prune in early spring

Pruning Do's and Don'ts

Do: Use sharp, clean pruning tools to make clean cuts that heal quickly. Clean between trees and bushes to not transfer diseases.

Do: Start by removing dead, diseased, and damaged branches, then clean pruner blades.

Do: Follow the natural shape of the plant

Do: Dead, broken, and diseased branches can be removed at any time of the year.

Don't: Over-prune(more than 25% of the tree), as it can stress the plant and lead to excessive regrowth.

Don't prune during the active growing season, as it can shock the plant and hinder its growth.

Don't trim a tree less than a year old. Prune a young tree only to remove dead or broken limbs

What are the Best Tools to Prune Trees?

The tools make all the difference in how hard or easy this job will be!!!

1. Pruning Shears 

usually cut to about 3/4 inch diameter

I recommend Felco Pruning Shears. Here is an article to review 3 different pruning shears.

Buy Hand Pruners on Amazon here

Also I just bought this Electric Pruner and boy it has been a game changer for me and my weak hands. Here is a video to see how this works or you can click on the link below.

Check it out here on Amazon

2. Loppers or Long Handled Pruners

These long handles provide great leverage needed to cut branches up to 2 inches in diameter and the long handles get you closer to higher branches. 

Here is an article on different long handled pruners

Buy Long handled Pruners From Amazon here

Buy ratcheting telescoping long handled Pruners from Amazon here

3. Saws

There are lots of hand saws that have precise clean cuts on the market.  I personally use power saws that are cordless. They come in  a small (mini) size, pole saws or bigger saws.

Here are a few that I like and use:

Mini Saws, one handed cordless with rechargeable batteries:

These are great for tree branches 1- 6 inch diameter. The batteries last up to 1 hour on some brands

Here are some great brands on Amazon:

Stihl , Tietoc , One Leaf

Pole Saw: 
Pole saws allow for extended reach with a long handle. We use EGO brand for a cordless pole saw  (from Amazon)with a great battery life. 

Chain Saws:

I personally use a cordless chainsaw, but my husband uses the traditional power chain saw. 

Here is a review of the EGO Power Chainsaw that I use.

Buy on Amazon

Hedge Trimmers for Shrubs 

You can use hand pruners, clippers, or powered hedge trimmers for this task.  I use a cordless powered Hedge trimmer (amazon) for the the yearly pruning of my bushes in my yard. 

Pruning is a vital practice that contributes to the overall health and beauty of your landscape. Winter and early spring provide the optimal window for most trees and bushs, allowing plants to recover swiftly and grow vigorously as the seasons change.

By understanding the unique needs of different trees and bushes and following proper pruning techniques, you can ensure a thriving and vibrant garden that will flourish throughout the year.

So, don your gardening gloves and pruning shears, and get ready to sculpt your outdoor haven with care and precision.

Related Articles on Pruning:

How to Sharpen and Maintain Hand Pruners:

Best Hand Pruners for Small Hands

Lightweight Cordless Hedge Trimmer for Ladies