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Home Ask MG What are the guidelines for pruning plants when dormant?

PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

What are the guidelines for pruning plants when dormant?

May 7, 2011   •   

I frequently read tips that recommend the ideal time to prune a plant is when it is “dormant.” How do I know when a plant has gone dormant?

Dormancy usually refers to the time that the leaves drop off and lasts until the plant leafs out in the spring. For many plants, the best time to do any major pruning would be in early spring before it starts leafing out.

Trees such as birch and maple are usually better pruned in late spring when the plant has fully leafed out. Otherwise they have a tendency to “bleed” sap at the points where they were cut. Evergreen trees are best pruned in late spring just before the “candles” of new growth harden off. As you can see, it is more important to know what kind of plant that you need to prune, and not to just prune anything just because it is dormant, because many plants will break that “rule.”

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