Fall pruning tips
“FALL PRUNING”
The advice by many experts regarding fall pruning is “DON’T DO IT” as it can cause more harm than good.
➢ Pruning in the fall would stimulate new growth when a plant should be trying to go dormant.
➢ New growth weakens the plant which is not what a plant needs when it is heading into winter.
➢ Fall pruning creates a wound that can result in a more severe winterkill
Good time to prune
➢ Middle of winter or early spring if you absolutely can’t stop yourself.
➢ When it is sunny and dry as pruning while it is wet/damp outside will cause diseases to spread. Damp weather promotes mold and bacteria.
➢ In the spring once a plant has finished flowering.
Pruning too much
➢ Most plants don’t require pruning-Fruit trees and overgrown shrubs are really the only thing that requires it and helps them to produce more fruits and flowers.
Pruning focus
➢ Dead or dying branches
➢ Low hanging branches
➢ Prune back to the main stem
o Leaving a stub sticking out opens your tree or shrub up to bacteria or gives insects a home.