What It Means
Pruning is removing selected branches or stems from a tree or shrub to take out dead or damaged wood, improve its shape and keep it healthy. Timing matters as much as the cut. The extension guides we checked from the University of Minnesota, Penn State and Illinois put most pruning in the late dormant season, and hold spring-flowering shrubs until just after they bloom.
Try It: Flip a Card to See When to Prune
Open a card to see when that kind of plant gets pruned, per the University of Minnesota, Penn State and Illinois extension guides.
Most trees and shrubs
Late in the dormant season, before new growth starts. Pests and diseases are dormant then too, so fresh cuts are less exposed.
Spring bloomers: lilac, forsythia, azalea, rhododendron
Soon after they finish flowering. They set next year's buds on old wood, so pruning in late winter cuts off the flowers.
Summer bloomers: most roses, panicle and smooth hydrangeas
Late winter or early spring, while still dormant. They flower on new growth.
Not sure which group a plant is in? Note when it flowers this year, then prune by that.
How It Sounds at Home
- "Don't cut the lilac back now, you'll lose all the flowers."
- "February's when we prune the apple trees."
- "That branch is scraping the roof, it needs to come off."
The Breakdown
When to prune
| Plant | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most trees and shrubs | Late dormant season (late winter) | Pests and pathogens are dormant, so cuts are less exposed |
| Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac, forsythia, azalea, rhododendron, flowering quince, magnolia | Soon after they finish blooming | They form next year's flower buds on old wood shortly after flowering |
| Summer-flowering shrubs, such as most roses and panicle and smooth hydrangeas | Late winter or early spring, while dormant | They bloom on new growth |
How often. Buhata's own suggestion: walk the yard once each late winter, note what needs cutting, and do the spring bloomers from that list right after they flower. Dead, broken or rubbing branches can come off whenever you find them.
Make it last between prunings. Buhata's own suggestion: prune a little each year rather than cutting hard every few years, so a shrub never gets far out of shape. MulchMulchingSpreading a layer of material such as wood chips, bark or leaves over the soil around plants to hold moisture, keep roots cooler and hold back weeds. See more around the base afterward, kept off the trunk.
Good to Know
Big branches and tall trees are a job for a tree care professional. Buhata's own suggestion is to hire one for anything you can't reach from the ground, and to leave any branch near a power line to your utility or a pro. If you do use a ladder, OSHA's ladder guidance says to inspect it first, set it on firm, level ground and keep three points of contact while climbing. The timing here is general; your state's extension service can tell you about particular plants where you live.
FAQ
When is the best time to prune trees?
For most trees and shrubs, the late dormant season in late winter, according to the University of Minnesota and Illinois extension guides. Pests and diseases are dormant then too.
When should I prune a lilac or forsythia?
Soon after it finishes flowering. Spring-flowering shrubs set next year's buds on old wood, so pruning them in late winter removes the flowers.
When should I prune hydrangeas and roses?
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas and most roses bloom on new growth, so the extension guides we checked say to prune them in late winter or early spring while they're dormant.
Do It in Buhata
Maintenance (Household X)
Add "Late-winter pruning walk" to Maintenance in the Household X add-on on a yearly schedule, and add a Reminder for the week your lilacs usually finish blooming.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Mulching
Spreading a layer of material such as wood chips, bark or leaves over the soil around plants to hold moisture, keep roots cooler and hold back weeds.
- Lawn care schedule
A year-round plan that puts each lawn job, from mowing height to seeding and fertilizing, in the season that suits your type of grass.
- Gutter cleaning
Clearing leaves, needles and debris out of roof gutters and downspouts so rain drains away. CSU Extension advises spring and fall at a minimum.
- Home garden
A garden at home where a household grows some of its own vegetables, herbs or fruit, in the ground, in raised beds or in containers.
- Composting
Turning food scraps and yard waste into a dark, crumbly soil amendment by letting them break down in a managed pile or bin.
Sources
University of Minnesota Extension, "Pruning trees and shrubs"; UMN Extension, "Winter is a good time to prune trees and shrubs"; Penn State Extension, "Pruning Flowering Shrubs"; Illinois Extension, "Dormant Season Tree and Shrub Pruning"; OSHA, "Portable Ladder Safety"
- extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
- extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/winter-good-time-prune-trees-and-shrubs
- extension.psu.edu/pruning-flowering-shrubs
- extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/dormant_season_pruning_infosheet.pdf
- www.osha.gov/Publications/portable_ladder_qc.html
Last updated .