Plants that look deadmay really be dormant, and they should stillbe watered, mulched, and pruned.
Learn which plants to prune in winter and why this is the best season for them.
Additionally, after the leaves have fallen, the plant’s structure becomes easy to discern.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
It’s like seeing the bones under the skin.
This enables more precise cuts for optimal health and helps you shape the plant easier.
Want more gardening tips?
Wirestock / Getty Images
As the tree gets older, trim its lower branches to prevent drooping.
Mulberry
The Spruce / K. Dave
Prunemulberry treesin winter to cut away damaged or crossed branches.
Always err on the side of caution to avoid over-trimming mulberry trees.
The Spruce / Olivia Inman
Prune no more than 25 percent of the canopy.
Theworst time to prunebirch trees is between May and August.
Grapevines
Prune grapevines between the start of dormancy and late February.
The Spruce / K. Dave
A good rule of thumb is to wait until after the New Year’s toprune grapevines.
Cut back the stem tips and remove damaged or diseased branches.
Big Leaf Hydrangeas
Prune hydrangeas to clean them up and untangle them.
Nadya So / Getty Images
Prune as late as late winter.
Apple Tree
Prune apple treeswhen they are dormant, usually late winter to early spring.
Avoid pruning apple trees in fall.
Picture of grapevine in flower.David Beaulieu
Roses
Catherine McQueen / Getty Images
Prune roses once a year.Prune rosesbetween late winter and early spring.
Be sure to trim them before the blooms start up again.
UC Marin Master Gardeners / University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
amana images / Getty Images
NA-FR-02-97 - How to Grow and Maintain a Healthy Birch Tree.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Debora Vandor / Getty Images
‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea is a “big-leaf” type.David Beaulieu
Picture of apple trees in bloom.David Beaulieu
Catherine McQueen / Getty Images
