Before we go on to talk about when to prune shrubs and trees, maybe you’re wondering why is this important anyway? Well, for starters, it will help your trees and shrubs grow stronger branches. But besides that, it also:

  • Eliminates dead wood
  • Eliminates diseased wood
  • Helps with wind resistance
  • Decreases incidence of fungal disease
  • Promotes good air circulation

Now, who doesn’t want that? Now keep reading to check what’s the best time to prune and trim your plants!

“Trees and plants always look like the people they live with, somehow. - Zora Neale Hurston

Trees

Deciduous

Red maple is a gorgeous decidious tree.
Red maple is a gorgeous deciduous tree. Source: Unsplash

Deciduous trees lose their leaves during a period of the year, so the best time to prune this type of tree is when they’re leafless and dormant - more specifically: in winter or spring. This will help you see what branches truly need pruning and the cuts will also heal more quickly, since spring will be right around the corner.

Fruit

Apple trees should be pruned in late winter.
Apple trees should be pruned in late winter. Source: Unsplash

The idea for fruit trees goes the same way as for deciduous trees, you should prune them when they’re dormant in late winter, right before the buds begin to open. That’s the best time to see where you actually need pruning and for a healthier tree growth during spring.

Flowering

Dogwood is an early bloomer that needs prunung in the summer.
Dogwood is an early bloomer that needs pruning in the summer. Source: Unsplash

Early bloomers should be pruned in the summer, while trees that bloom during mid to late summer can be pruned in late fall or early spring.

Early blooming trees include:

  • Dogwood
  • Star magnolia
  • Redbud

Late bloomers include:

  • Saucer magnolias
  • Hawthorn
  • Tree peony

Shrubs

Flowering

Flowering shrubs need to be pruned in the summer.
Flowering shrubs need to be pruned in the summer. Source: Country Living

If the shrub blooms in the period of time during early spring and early summer, then it should be pruned in the summer. Since we’re talking about flowering shrubs, that’s about the time when the flowers have faded, so you can prune without damaging the flowers.

On the other hand, shrubs that flower during early fall should be pruned from late winter to early spring.

Needle-bearing

Gold mop shrubs have evergreen foliage and are pruned in early spring.
Gold mop shrubs have evergreen foliage and are pruned in early spring. Source: The Spruce

Needle-bearing shrubs should always be pruned when they’re still dormant, which is usually during early spring. This type of shrub includes the ones with evergreen foliage, such as hemlock, gold mop, and boxwood.

Roses

Roses are dormant during winter, so take the opportunity to prune them.
Roses are dormant during winter, so take the opportunity to prune them. Source: Pixabay

Both roses and hydrangeas (that I’ll talk about in a minute) are considered shrubs, but they do deserve their own attention here since they have some observations that are a bit more specific.

Let’s start with the roses:

They are most commonly pruned during mid to late winter. That’s because the plants will still be dormant and you won’t damage them when pruning. Unless you live in a colder zone, in which case you should prune your roses in spring - after there are no more risk of frosts.

Hydrangeas

Late summer or late winter are the ideal times for pruning hydrangeas.
Late summer or late winter are the ideal times for pruning hydrangeas. Source: Pixabay

Either pruned in late summer when they’re producing blooms on old growth, or in late winter to early spring when they bloom from new growth.

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In this article: Best time to prune fruit trees When to trim evergreen bushes When to prune shrubs and trees Pruning trees Pruning shrubs
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