Winter Pruning

Winter is an excellent time for assessing the health of trees and shrubs, as their structure is clearly visible without the presence of leaves. Removing dead or diseased limbs, crossing and rubbing branches and renovation of shrubs is best done in winter. This is due to the absence of pests and organisms that could enter the plant through cuts in the bark. Also, at this dormant time, plants will not expend energy to recover from pruning - this will happen in spring with the flush of new growth.