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
- Leaving a stub sticking out opens your tree or shrub up to bacteria or gives insects a home.
Source: Press Releaes
