With the sudden onset of warmer weather this March, Mother Nature has gifted us a perfect opportunity to give many of our favourite fruiting plants, trees, and shrubs a good late winter prune.
This is the best time to prune many of our plants because the fresh wounds we create will only be exposed for a short time before new spring growth quickly repairs the damage, thereby minimizing the risk of infection. It’s also much easier to prune a plant effectively when there are no leaves blocking your view of the plant’s overall shape.
Of course, not everything can be pruned this time of year. Any plants that bloom very early in the spring should be left alone. Plants that set their flower buds on last year’s growth should also be avoided. Plants in this category include:
- Azaleas
- Forsythia
- Lilacs
- Magnolias
- Mophead Hydrangeas
- Pieris
- Rhododendrons
Most of the above plants can be pruned immediately after they finish flowering (though if you can avoid pruning Mophead Hydrangeas at all, it’s for the best).
The second class of plants that should not be pruned are those which have a habit of ‘bleeding’ sap around this time of year. This includes:
- Birches
- Blue-Beech
- Butternuts
- Maples
- Walnuts
These plants should instead be pruned in late spring or early summer after all of their leaves have fully emerged.
Lastly, avoid pruning Oaks early in the spring. There are several species of beetles that act as a host for something called Oak Wilt. These beetles are attracted to the scent of freshly cut oak wood in April, May, and June. Instead, prune your oaks after Canada Day.
If your tree or shrub doesn’t fall into one of these three exceptions, then prune away! It’s a great time to remove dead or broken branches, and to ensure your shrubs will be vigorous, healthy, and shapely once spring officially arrives!
Looking to learn more about pruning, including general tips? Check out Pruning Trees and Shrubs: Why and When on our Trees and Shrubs tips page.
If it’s your first time pruning and you’re looking for a hands-on learning experience, stop by our store and our nursery staff will be glad to give you a demonstration!