Many garden plants benefit from pruning, but it is important to do it at the right time of year, as each plant needs to be pruned in a specific season. There winter pruningfor example, is carried out starting from November when the plants are dormant.
The purpose of winter pruning is to encourage vigor so that trees and plants are productive, and shrubs do not outgrow their space. This is the time to prune roses, reshape bushes and fruit trees; once the leaves have fallen, it is easy to see the structure of a plant and, consequently, proceed with pruning. While plants are dormant, it is also a good time to do renovation pruning, to revive them so they can grow large. Pruning in winter can also help control or prevent the spread of specific diseases.
Let’s find out which plants, trees and bushes need to be thinned out in November. (Read also: Which plants, trees, aromatic herbs or climbers should be pruned in October?)
What are the benefits of winter pruning
Pruning in winter means taking advantage of plant dormancy, reducing stress that could be caused by cuts at other times of the year. During this time, the structure of trees and shrubs is more visible, making it easier to locate and remove damaged or excess branches. This operation also promotes a greater flow of light and air between the branches, helping to prevent diseases and keep the plants healthy.
How to choose what to prune in November
In this month, it is advisable to prune shrubs such as roses and fruit trees such as apple and pear trees, which will benefit from reshaping and a reduction of dry or diseased branches. Vines and raspberries can also be pruned at this stage, but it is important to respect the specific needs of each plant to ensure optimal flowering and fruiting in the following season.
What to prune in November
Screws
The screws they are woody, deciduous plants, which exude sap or “bleed” when pruned. If cut stems bleed, they can weaken the plant, so it’s important to prune them in mid-winter, when they are deeply dormant. Other plants that bleed when pruned include maple, birch and fig trees.
In some areas of Italy where the climate is quite harsh starting from November, the vines can be pruned easily; while, in other locations in the South it is best to prune in December or January, cutting to a main “cane”, or arm, which is attached vertically along the support wires.
Raspberries
The raspberry plants they should be pruned from late autumn until winter. To proceed, cut all the raspberry canes up to 5 cm from the ground every year from November to the end of the cold season. This process encourages the growth of fresh new stems that will bear fruit next fall.
Wisteria
The wisteria it should be pruned twice a year, in November/December and again in summer, to keep it in check and encourage flowering. In winter, prune all side shoots to three or four buds. Then, after summer flowering, reduce all shoots to 30 cm. (Read also: Wisteria: the legend of flowering (and the meaning)
Fruit bushes
THE fruit bushessuch as blueberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries and redcurrants, should be pruned in November. As a general rule, a few old branches should be removed each year, creating a cup shape and leaving young, healthy branches that will produce large crops for years to come.
Rose
THE rose bushes they should be pruned starting in November to promote healthy growth, flowering shoots and abundant blooms in summer. Many types of roses can be pruned in winter, including floribundas, shrub roses and climbing roses. Climbing roses should be pruned at the end of summer, but they can also be renewed starting from November; as a general rule it is necessary to cut more the thin and weak stems, and the less thick and vigorous ones. Try to leave plants 15cm to 45cm tall, depending on the original size of the plant and your preferences.
Apple and pear trees
Apple and pear trees should be pruned from November to mid-March to encourage fruiting. Pruning will help encourage a good harvest by channeling energy into the remaining buds. Try to create a wine glass shape, with evenly spaced branches rising from the trunk in a circle. Cut shoots at the base and remove dead, diseased or crossed branches. Do not prune stone fruits, such as cherries or plums, at this time and throughout the winter as they risk becoming infected by the fungal disease called silver leaf; prune them in early or midsummer instead. (Read also: Aromatic plant diseases: how to recognize and eradicate parasites, fungi and molds that affect your herbs)
Ornamental trees
Some should be pruned from November to March ornamental treessuch as hornbeam, field maple, Japanese maple and plane tree, to name a few. Remove smaller branches from ornamental trees to create a clean, bare stem at least 3 to 4 feet tall, then remove branches that impede access or block mowing, and thin instead of cutting the entire canopy.
Pay attention to pruning times and techniques
Each plant requires particular attention during winter pruning, and respecting the right timing can make the difference. For example, vines and some ornamental trees, such as wisteria, need gentle pruning in mid-winter, as cutting too early can cause the branches to “bleed”. Fruit bushes, on the other hand, benefit from annual thinning, which guarantees more space for young and productive branches. Pruning not only preserves the health of the plant but also helps maintain a balanced shape, encouraging harmonious growth and avoiding excessive expansion.
You might be interested in: