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Some fall pruning tips

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: Menards

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