PRUNING TREES

There’s a quiet shift that happens in the garden as summer fades.

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The pace softens, the light changes, and trees begin preparing, subtly but surely, for their winter rest. This in-between season offers one of the best opportunities to step in with a pair of sharp secateurs and make a real difference. Pruning just before dormancy isn’t about hacking branches or forcing shape; it’s about working with the tree’s natural rhythms, setting it up for healthier growth when spring returns.

Walk through your garden in late autumn and you'll notice it immediately. Growth has slowed, leaves may be starting to yellow or drop, and the tree’s structure becomes easier to read. This is the moment when thoughtful pruning can do its best work. Without the distraction of vigorous growth, you can see crossing branches, weak limbs, and congested areas more clearly. It’s like looking at the skeleton of the tree and that’s exactly what you're shaping.

When to prune

Timing is everything. The best time to prune trees before dormancy (or while fully dormant) is late winter, specifically between late June, July, and early August. This timing allows deciduous trees to rest, reduces stress, limits disease spread, and prepares them for vigorous new spring growth.

The goal is to prune after active growth has stopped, but before the coldest part of winter sets in. Pruning too early can encourage a flush of new growth that won’t survive the cold, while pruning too late can leave wounds exposed when the tree is least able to heal. It’s a balance that becomes easier to judge with experience, and by simply paying attention to your trees.

Why prune