While Tucson does have mild winters, there are still chilly nights with some evenings seeing below freezing temperatures. This colder weather means that many plants like deciduous trees, shrubs, and rose bushes are dormant, making them ready for pruning and shaping. If you’re wondering whether winter tree pruning is even necessary, continue reading for some insights from the certified arborists at Complete Landscaping. 

Enjoy the Benefits of Pruning 

There are many reasons to include pruning in your winter landscape maintenance. Pruning encourages healthier growth in the short-term and prevents or limits damage caused by extreme weather conditions, fungal growth, and disease for a longer overall lifespan of your trees and shrubs. 

 

• Remove Dead or Diseased Growth – If you notice dead or diseased branches, you should not hesitate to schedule professional tree pruning. Dead, dying, or infected branches drain energy and resources from healthy parts of the plant. Plus, the damage is likely to spread without intervention. Alternatively, dead branches may fall on their own, posing a safety hazard and creating a liability on your property. 

• Encourage Healthy Growth in Spring – Pruning not only removes dead and damaged branches, but it also thins dense growth to improve airflow between branches and avoid weighing down the plant. With skilled pruning of flowering plants and fruit trees, you can expect better quality blooms and fruit during the next growing season. 

• Make Cleaner Cuts – When leaves have fallen and branches are bare, it’s easier to make clean cuts to limit any scars or damage to the plant. Because plants are not actively growing during winter dormancy, they will not be as stressed by pruning, and they will not lose sap. Additionally, pests and fungi are less active in colder temperatures, so plants are able to recover without the risk of an infestation. 

• Create Shapelier Canopies – Pruning not only improves growth and productivity, but it also enhances the appearance of your landscape. Your trees and shrubs will have shapelier canopies that provide better shade and better circulation for light and air between the branches. 

 

Know What to Prune

While most plants will benefit from winter pruning and shaping, some should be avoided until late spring. Spring bloomers should not be pruned, as January pruning will remove next season’s flowers. Evergreens and roses can have light pruning, but major thinning should wait until March or April. Plants that are ideal for January trimming are citrus trees, deciduous trees, and hardy natives like agave and prickly pear. 

Consult a Certified Arborist 

For any pruning job, it is best to call your local landscaping company in Tucson to enlist the help of a certified arborist. This is the best way to ensure healthy tree maintenance without any accidental damage. Plus, arborists will be able to safely reach the canopies of taller trees and shrubs that may be unsafe for DIY trimming. 

Complete Landscaping has four certified arborists on staff who can provide the expert tree care you need year-round. Contact us to schedule an estimate for your winter pruning services.