Late winter - right about now, especially with the recent 6 to 10 inch snowfall in the Catskills - is a terrific time to prune shrubs and trees.
Pruning is so much easier without leaves to get in the way. The shapes and habits of trees, shrubs and vines are clearly visible making pruning work an instantly gratifying job.
Cut out dead wood. Remove crossed or competing branches. Shape. If selectively removing old canes or branches, take care not to remove more than 1/3 of the overall size and shape otherwise the plant will struggle to survive thus making it more susceptible to disease and insects. Be aware that pruning spring blooming shrubs like forsythia and lilac now will remove blooms this season. The blooms will return in full force the following spring.
Winter pruning wisteria is so much easier in late winter without the leaves. Prune for shape and to keep this vigorous vine under control. If training wisteria as a screening or hedge, reasses the overall shape and effectivenss by strategically tying up branches. Prune again in mid summer, around July to keep the whips (new season's growth) tidy.
Fruit trees can be pruned now with the exception of peaches. For peaches, waiting til bud sweel or even after bloom will greatly diminish damage from sudden drops in mountain spring temperatures, thus making the tree stronger and better able to resist the many diseases (cytospora canker) and pests (peach tree borer) which afflict peach trees in our region. The goal with training fruit trees is to open up the inside of the tree to allow maximum sunlight for fruit production and air movement to avoid diseases and pests.
Before you prunem, make sure your tools are cleaned and sharpened to make the best, most effective and clean cut possible thereby diminishing the possibility of disease.
I am available for late winter and early spring pruning jobs. Please email me at [email protected] or call 917. 974. 9883.
Karin Ursula Edmondson
