Re: fall-spring pruning was: Dividing Knowledge

> You're right, Heather, dormancy is dormancy.  The only danger in late fall
> pruning is a warm snap that wakes the plant up enough to put on growth - as
> pruning always stimulates growth - and then, of course, it gets colder n'
> billy bejeezus and freezes the new growth.

Well, the other problem is the pruning of flower buds.  Plants that
flower in early spring usually form flower buds in the previous year, 
so pruning in fall will remove a good many of next year's flowers.

For those kinds of plants, it's much better to prune them immediately
after they've bloomed -- the buds haven't formed yet and you're assured
of good flowering next year.

> Only time during dormancy that I understand it is NOT good to prune is when
> the temperatures are below freezing - something about damaging stems, I
> think...of course, only a total masochist would be standing out in the
> garden pruning in below freezing temps....

There are some trees and shrubs that are bleeders, so pruning in the winter
could damage the trees as they lose tremendous amounts of sugar and water
in their sap.  This includes most birches, maples, and dogwoods.  These
trees should be pruned in mid-summer or late fall, but not when it's
below freezing.

(Note:  There is some argument over the actual amount of damage that bleeding
        does to a plant.  Some argue that it's good because it keeps
        pathogens out...  I feel that it has to be detrimental since the
        tree is losing sugar and doesn't have any leaves to create more...)

Chris

P.S.  There's also a woody plants list...  :)

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