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Re: sap & pruning

>Having lived in the coastal areas of California for some years, I
>learned to prune things like roses at a rather arbitrarily chosen time.
>That is, I had always read that December or January was the time to
>prune, to discourage fresh growth and allow a semblance of dormancy.
>
>Now that we have moved to the Sierras at 3000', and have a climate with
>more cold weather, I was surprised to hear advice from a nurseryman
>neighbor.  He said to prune things like roses when they begin to show
>signs of new growth in the spring.  I told this to my friends back in
>the more Mediterranean climate, and they didn't believe me.  So I will
>be interested in any answers to Sheryl's question about pruning.


I live in Milwaukee, Wi, Zone 5.  My rationale for spring pruning is that
many trees/shrubs may experience a varying degree of winter die back.
Spring pruning allows me to visualize what parts of the plant may have died
and I can prune accordingly.  Now, of course, there is a caveat to this,
and that is for plants that bloom on "old wood", that is, last year's
growth.  A spring pruning could well prune away all of this year's
flowers-to-be.  There may still be a compelling reason (renewal pruning) to
do this, but in these types of plants (e.g. lilac) pruning is best delayed
until after blooming.  Late summer/fall pruning, before the plant is
completely dormant, is discouraged for the reasons mentioned, that it could
encourage new growth that will not harden off completely


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