Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

It’s hard to believe that it’s February already! This warm winter weather has led to much confusion in our yards and gardens, however, it’s still the perfect time to trim your fruit trees. Pruning during dormancy helps prevent fire blight in apples, pears and crabapples, and reduces canker diseases in cherries and plums.

A good pair of pruning shears is essential. Anvil shears are great for dead wood, while bypass pruners are used to manage living branches. Lopping shears offer leverage for branches up to 1½ inches, and pruning saws are necessary for thicker branches. Keep your tools sharp and clean to ensure clean cuts and prevent disease spread.

Wondering what to cut? Start by removing broken, dead or diseased branches, thin or weak wood, and branches that are rubbing against each other. Clearing these allows light and air to reach the interior of the tree. Cut suckers at the base of the tree and water sprouts from the inner branches.

To remove a branch, undercut it halfway through about 18” from the trunk, then top cut an inch further out until it breaks free. Trim the remaining stub close to the trunk without removing the branch collar. When trimming branches, cut back to a side branch or just above a bud, leaving the wound open to heal naturally.

Wait to prune trees and shrubs that flower in early spring until after blossoming. These include apricots, azaleas and lilacs. Avoid pruning oaks in the spring and summer to prevent oak wilt. Prune honey locusts now to deter stem cankers. Sap-producing trees should be pruned after leaf-out to prevent bleeding.

Proper pruning promotes plant health and appearance, and safeguards against hazards. Plan for late winter pruning to ensure your trees thrive in the summer.

Don’t miss out! “So, You Want to Be a Flower Farmer” webinar on Feb. 14.

Interested in starting a cut flower business? Join Robin Trott, experienced flower farmer and Extension Educator, for an informative overview. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/event/cut-flower-farming for more information and to register.

Until next time, happy gardening!

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“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” ~John Muir