Depending on where you live, you may not spend much time outside in the winter. However, late winter is a good time to prune your trees and shrubs to prepare for new growth. Follow this guide to get your yard and garden ready for spring.
Check for damaged wood or foliage. Late winter, when there's no foliage, provides a good opportunity to check for damaged or diseased wood. Often, this damage occurs earlier in the winter due to ice and snow. If you find dead wood, prune the branch where it connects to a larger branch or stem. Prune the entire branch if it's dead or significantly damaged. If you have tall trees, consider hiring a tree trimmer who can examine and cut back the higher branches.
Remove unwanted branches. In addition to removing damaged wood, trim unwanted branches during dormancy. Late winter is an ideal time to shape many trees and shrubs. You can prune many types of evergreens in February and March. It's best to prune needled evergreens, such as juniper and yews, at this time of year. As you clip the plant, make sure you're not cutting into old wood.
Promote new growth. Pruning in late winter encourages new growth when spring arrives. Trim your spring-blooming shrubs toward the end of winter. These may include Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea arborescens, crape myrtles, clethra, and roses. You can also cut back these shrubs to control their height or remove unwanted stems.
Prune in milder temperatures. If you live in a cold climate, wait to prune until temperatures become milder. For example, it's not a good idea to prune on a February day when the temperatures fall below zero. Trimming too early can cause cuts to dry out if temperatures drop too low. Choose a mild day in late winter to prevent cold-weather damage. As a bonus, you'll enjoy being outside much more on a warmer day.
Put pruning on your to-do list for late winter. Use this guide to trim damaged branches, shape trees and shrubs, and promote new growth in the spring.
Sources: Finegardening.com, Southernlivingplants.com, Almanac.com
