Here are some helpful tips for landscape pruning in the winter.
Did you know that winter is the ideal time to prune your bushes, trees, and flowering plants? Pruning refers to cutting away dead or overgrown stems or branches. When done correctly, it will promote healthy growth. Start your plan now because you want to begin pruning when the weather constantly reaches about 40 degrees. Here are some helpful tips for landscape pruning in the winter.
What to Prune in Your Landscape
Landscape pruning in winter is a crucial part of landscaping because it can revitalize dormant shrubs and trees. Pruning also leaves plants with additional energy and resource reserves that would have been provided to the pruned branches. Here’s a list of a couple of plants you can prune during the wintertime:
- Shrubs: Roses, Hydrangeas, Weigelias, Barberries
- Trees: Junipers, Spruce, Poplar, Cherries, Plums, Oaks
- Specific trees will bleed sticky sap if you prune them during the winter or early spring: Maples, Walnuts, Elms, Birches
Utilize the Right Technique and Equipment
Use the right tools for landscape pruning in the winter. These tools include hedge shears, pocket knives, pole pruners, saws, and loppers. Also, ensure your devices are sharp to work efficiently. In addition, you can safely prune anything on a plant that is dying, dead, damaged, or diseased. When left attached, branches that fall into these categories trigger more stress on the plant. Instead, trimming allows the plant to spend energy on healing.
Moreover, take notice of the structure and natural flow of the plant as it grows from the trunk or base and follow that line to the end. Also, follow the lines of the branches.
Understand the Two Types of Pruning Cuts
A heading cut refers to stimulating new growth. It also involves cutting part of a branch to produce a firmer branch and a significant number of minor offshoots on that branch. In contrast, a thinning cut eliminates a branch at its source origin. This can be at a side branch, the main trunk, or even the ground. Unlike a heading cut, a thinning cut will prevent new growth.
Furthermore, create clean cuts where the branches connect stems. Also, cut the branches at 45-degree angles in the direction you want potential limbs to grow to encourage future growth. Don’t forget to aim for a natural shape! Overall, well-maintained plants, trees, and shrubs are healthier and look better!
All of Your Landscaping Needs from Atlantic Maintenance Group
Atlantic Maintenance Group is a full-service landscaping company providing maintenance, design, and construction, as well as snow removal and asphalt and concrete services. We are your source for complete landscape and facility maintenance for commercial and residential properties throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. We are a self-performing landscaping company, meaning we don’t hire subcontractors, and senior management is involved with every project. Our highly trained team of professionals receives constant, ongoing education on the latest industry trends, updates, and safety measures. This ensures we can deliver outstanding customer service and results to our clients, regardless of the size of your job.