Re: Well...it's cold!!! What is the best time to prune?

Best time to prune depends on the flowering of the plant.  It is always
good to prune out damaged, diseased, and crossing limbs (so they won't
rub).  Then, best to wait until the plant is dormant so the pruning won't
stimulate new growth that will be killed with the cold.  Spring blooming
plants should be pruned after spring blooming.  Summer and fall blooming
plants can be pruned in the fall/winter once they are dormant.

To thin/reduce a shrub:  remove deadwood; remove older, thicker branches of
red-twig dogwood, azaleas and other shrubs that spread by runners; remove
branches that touch the ground (unless you plan to propagate) or a wall;
remove overlapping branches and those that are taking the same space to
allow air and sun in; remove any unattractive or wrong-headed branches. 
Prune from bottom to top and inside out.   Check on the pruning level of
your species.  For example, prune only 1/4 of rhododendrons, laurels, and
camellias.  Deciduous azaleas, firethorns, lilacs, yews and wax myrtles can
stand 1/8th.  Some plants stand only a little punning, such as
beautyberries, cotoneasters, magnolias, witch hazels, and doublefile
viburnums.  (From Fine Gardening Feb. 2006)
  



Bonnie Zone 7/7 ETN
Remember:  The River Raisin, The Alamo, The Maine, Pearl Harbor, 9/11


> [Original Message]
> From: pdickson <pdickson@sbcglobal.net>
> To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
> Date: 11/3/2006 11:04:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [CHAT] Well...it's cold!!!  What is the best time to prune?
>
> Bonnie,
> I also remember the advice to quit cutting roses before it gets really
cold 
> to get the rose to go dormant.... otherwise it will continue to try to
grow 
> and not protect itself from the really cold.
> I would think that goes for any plant.
> Tricia
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bonnie & Bill Morgan" <wmorgan972@ameritech.net>
> To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
> Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 7:56 AM
> Subject: [CHAT] Well...it's cold!!! What is the best time to prune?
>
>
> > This morning I awoke to a 13 F wind chill and actual temp of 20 F.  All 
> > but
> > the one of two trees have dropped their leaves.  Should I wait for the
> > ground to freeze before I prune or can I do that now?  I've got a Rose
of
> > Sharon and a number of walnuts that need a bit of pruning.  What do all
of
> > you recommend?
> >
> > Blessings,
> > Bonnie (SW OH - zone 5)
> >
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