Winter Pruning for Great Lakes Bay Region Trees and Shrubs

When the vibrant colors of autumn fade, and the crisp chill of winter settles in, it’s a great time to turn our attention to preparing our gardens and landscape for the upcoming season. It’s no secret that winter in the Great Lakes Bay Region can be unforgiving, but with proper preparation, your trees and shrubs can emerge next spring with a fresh start and healthy growth.

A key component of preparing your landscape for winter is winter pruning. This important practice involves carefully trimming and shaping your trees and shrubs while they are dormant. By removing dead, dying, or damaged branches, you can promote healthy growth, improve the overall appearance of your plants, and help them withstand the harsh winter conditions.

Key Takeaways:

• Winter is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs in Michigan because it allows for clearer visibility, reduces disease transmission, and provides easier access to branches.
• Avoid pruning flowering trees and shrubs in winter, as this can prevent them from blooming in the upcoming season.
• Avoid pruning maple trees in winter when sap is more likely to “bleed” from its wounds.
• To protect your plants from harsh winter weather, consider mulching and fertilizing in the fall.

Why Winter Is a Good Time to Prune

While many trees can be pruned year-round, the most ideal time in Michigan is during winter, which is considered a tree’s dormant season. Dormancy is the period between when the leaves of deciduous trees have fallen and before new buds start to appear in the spring. This time of year is best for several reasons, including:

• Clearer View of Tree Structure: Without leaves obstructing the view, it’s easier to assess the tree’s overall shape, identify dead or weak branches, and make informed pruning decisions.
• Reduced Disease Transmission: Pruning during the dormant season helps minimize the risk of spreading diseases like oak wilt and Dutch elm disease.
• Easier Access to Branches: The absence of leaves provides better access to branches, making pruning more efficient and less time-consuming.
• Less Stress on the Tree: Pruning during the dormant period, when the tree is not actively growing, is less stressful for the plant.
• Reduced Risk of Storm Damage: Pruning can help reduce the risk of storm damage by removing weak, heavy, or crossing branches that could break or fall during severe weather.

When Is the Worst Time to Prune Trees and Shrubs in the Great Lakes Bay Region?

Pruning can be done year-round for many trees, but the optimal timing can vary depending on the species. Generally, the worst time to prune is during the plant’s active growth period, which typically occurs in early spring.

Here’s why:

• Damage to New Growth: Pruning during this time can damage the new growth that is emerging, potentially stunting the plant’s development or even killing it.
• Reduced Flowering: For flowering plants, pruning in early spring can reduce or eliminate the blooms for the current season.
• Increased Stress: Pruning while the plant is actively growing can cause unnecessary stress, making it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and environmental factors.

Trees or Shrubs You Shouldn’t Prune in Winter

While winter is generally the best time for pruning many trees and shrubs in your landscape, there are a few exceptions to this rule.

Flowering Shrubs and Trees

Plants that bloom in early spring (March through June) should not be pruned in winter. Pruning during this time can remove the flower buds that have already formed, leading to a reduced or nonexistent bloom display. Some common flowering shrubs and trees that shouldn’t be pruned in winter include:

• Forsythia
• Althea
• Viburnum
• Lilac
• Crabapple
• Eastern Redbud
• Dogwood

You can safely prune just about any flowering shrub or tree soon after flowering has stopped.

Maple Trees

Pruning maple trees should also be avoided during late winter through early spring. This time coincides with the maple sap flow, a natural process where the tree transports sugars throughout its system. During this period, the internal pressure within the tree increases, causing sap to flow freely from any wounds, including pruning cuts.

A maple tree that has been pruned before or during this sap run will create more wounds for the sap to “bleed” from. Many gallons of sap can flow from even the smallest of pruning cuts. The sap bleeding from these wounds not only stains the tree’s branches and trunk, but it can also attract pesky insects.

Other Ways to Prepare Your Trees and Shrubs for Winter

In addition to pruning, there are a couple other steps you can take to ensure your landscape survives the harsh winter weather and emerge healthy and vibrant in the spring, including:

• Fertilization: Providing your trees and shrubs with essential nutrients before winter can help your plants build up their energy reserves, leading to stronger, healthier plants next spring.
• Mulching: Applying a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of your plants can insulate the roots, protect them from freezing temperatures, and help retain moisture. Remember to avoid placing mulch directly against the trunk to prevent rot.

Join Us for Our Winter Pruning Classes

At Bay Landscaping, we believe that informed homeowners make for healthier landscapes. That’s why we offer a variety of classes on winter pruning and other landscaping topics. To stay up-to-date on our latest classes, events, and landscaping tips, sign up for our newsletter.

Call Bay Landscaping today at 989-893-0000 to register for our next winter pruning class or to learn more about our other landscaping services.