Midwinter is a wonderful time to get open air and prune shrubs.

“You may prune shrubs any time, nevertheless it’s usually simpler when they’re leafless and dormant,” mentioned Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic supervisor at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “You may see their branching construction with out foliage in the way in which.”

Pruning when shrubs are actively rising usually stimulates a burst of disorderly new progress. That gained’t occur if you happen to prune whereas the vegetation are dormant. As a substitute, pruning now will direct their progress as soon as the rising season begins.

As a result of ailments and bugs are additionally dormant in chilly climate, winter pruning is much less more likely to unfold ailments or pests. “You continue to must follow good hygiene, comparable to disinfecting your pruners between cuts with alcohol,” she mentioned.

Listed here are some suggestions from the Plant Clinic for winter pruning:

Select what to prune. Midwinter pruning is finest for deciduous shrubs, not evergreens. “Wait to prune evergreens till April or so, simply earlier than their spring burst of progress begins,” Janoski mentioned.

You’ll additionally need to keep away from winter pruning of shrubs that bloom in spring, comparable to forsythia, lilac, flowering quince, and viburnum. “These shrubs carry their flower buds by way of winter, so if you happen to prune them now, you can be eradicating flower buds that may bloom this spring,” she mentioned. It gained’t harm the plant, however it can diminish this spring’s bloom present. Discover a chart that tells when to prune many species of backyard shrubs at mortonarb.org/prune-timing. The Plant Clinic may also help you establish shrubs.

Use sharp instruments. Sharp pruners and saws will make clear cuts which might be much less more likely to admit illness or decay and can seal up extra rapidly. “It’s additionally simpler to chop when your instruments are sharp,” she mentioned.

Hold it pure. Most shrubs look finest and might be healthiest if they’re pruned selectively with hand pruners, department by department, in a manner that respects their pure type. Use energy hedge trimmers just for formal hedges.

Prune for a function. Earlier than you begin, suppose by way of why you might be pruning the plant. “Not each shrub wants pruning in any respect,” she mentioned. “However if you happen to do prune, your causes ought to information the method you utilize.” In the event you purpose to scale back the shrub’s measurement or simply need to tidy up its define, chances are you’ll solely take away a couple of branches that stick out. To open up a shrub to air circulation and provides it a extra sleek type, rejuvenate it by slicing again one-third of the oldest, largest stems close to the bottom. If the shrub is a dense tangle, chances are you’ll must renew it by slicing the entire thing again. Study extra about pruning strategies at mortonarb.org/shrub-prune.

Pause and replicate. Each few cuts, step again and test if you happen to’ve finished sufficient to realize your required impact. “It’s doable to get carried away,” Janoski mentioned. In the event you prune an excessive amount of, there’s no want to fret, she mentioned: “The plant will almost all the time recuperate in time.”

For tree and plant recommendation, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a employees author on the Arboretum.