Winter Pruning

Winter is the perfect time of year to prepare fruit trees, fruiting shrubs, and generally shape ornamental shrubs ready for the coming growing season. Winter pruning is also proven to reduce disease.

Although there are multiple benefits to winter pruning not all plants will thank you for pruning in winter.

We've compiled a list a of plants suitable for winter pruning below.

Apple and Pear Trees

November to March is the ideal time to prune Apple and Pear trees. When pruning Apple and Pear trees the goal is to shape the tree into a goblet. Prioritise diseased, dead, and rubbing branches.

The goal is to remove 10%-20% of the trees canopy, however take care not to remove excessive amounts as this will encourage non fruiting growth. Focus on improving airflow through the centre of the tree, and prune downward growth.

Keep an eye out for fruiting buds ready to bear fruit in the coming season.

Fruit Bushes

Blueberries, Blackcurrants, Gooseberries, and Redcurrants are all suitable for winter pruning. Fruit bushes require varying pruning techniques.

Autumn fruiting Raspberries should be cut down to the ground, new shoots will carry fruit in the next season. Remove some older wood from Blueberries and Gooseberries aiming for an open centre. Blackcurrants fruit on second year growth but its also important to partially remove older growth to encourage new shoots.

Grapevines

Grapevines are a plant that need to be pruned in winter when the plant is most dormant. Pruning Grapevines when the weather is warm allows the plant to bleed sap leading to weaker plants.

When pruning you're aiming to cut back to a leading stem of your chosen shape.

Bush and climbing roses are suitable for winter pruning, cut back hard targeting weak growth and rubbing stems. When cutting aim for 5mm above any buds trying to direct water away from the bud. Similar to fruit trees you want to open the Rose to allow airflow through the plant.

Rambling Roses should not be pruned in winter.

Roses

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Winter is also a good time of year to prune deciduous shrubs and trees. The colder weather will prevent excessive sap bleeding, and reduces chance of disease. Pruning will invigorate growth and allow shaping but keep in mind the goal is to thin rather than cut right back.