HomeBase · Lawn & Garden
The season of white is a great time to think green.
Is your winter tree care limited to trimming the Christmas tree? Pruning trees and shrubs during the colder months is one of the season’s most important home projects, for your plants and for your home. Grab your gloves and your tools.
A head start on spring
Why winter pruning matters
Get ahead of spring
Pruning during dormancy sets trees and shrubs up for a full growing season when spring arrives.
Lower disease and pest risk
Cold temperatures reduce the chance of disease or pests attacking fresh cuts.
Remove falling hazards
Clearing dying or diseased branches protects your home, especially in areas with heavy snowfall.
Three easy groups
What to prune during winter
Hardwood trees
Bare branches make it easy to see the tree’s structure and plan each cut.
Fruit trees
Winter is also a great time to prune fruit trees. Each species has its own needs, so research yours before you cut.
The payoff: larger, better-tasting fruit in the spring.
Flowering trees & shrubs
For the best blooms next summer, prune trees and shrubs that flower after May 15 in late winter.
Cut with care
Find the branch collar
The branch collar is the slightly swollen area where a limb joins the trunk. It is rich in antimicrobial compounds that help the tree seal the wound and resist decay.
Cut just outside the collar. Do not cut into it or leave a long stub.
Locate the collar
Look for the ridge of bark and swelling where branch meets trunk.
Choose the right tool
Use clippers on small branches and a chainsaw on large or dying limbs.
Make a clean cut
Cut just beyond the collar so the tree can heal without decay.
Timing matters
When do you start pruning?
Start with the right tools and the right timing, and you will support fuller, healthier growth in spring.
Get the right tools. Sutherlands HomeBase and DIY Supply carry a wide range of outdoor power equipment, including Husqvarna, Stihl and Troy-Bilt.