6 Trees You Should Always Prune in Winter, Experts Say

Close-up of fresh green leaves of a branch of a beech tree on a sunny day with clear blue skies in spring or early summer (May 18). Shallow depth of field. Blurred background. — Credit:
Getty Images

There are several different types of pruning, and you can do them at different times of year. However, the best method and timing depend on your goal, as well as the plant species in question.

“For most trees, one of the best times to prune is during the dormant period, which is usually from late fall to early spring,” says Marksim Kazakou, a resident botanist at Plantum. “Dormancy ends when sap starts flowing again, and the buds begin to swell.”

Winter is another great time to prune. Here, our experts break down which trees must be pruned during this period of deep dormancy—along with some best practices to follow.

01 of 06

Oak Trees

Trimming oaks during winter prevents oak wilt, a fungal disease that spreads through the Nitdulidae beetle, which feeds on tree sap found in fresh wounds.

“Once a tree has oak wilt, it's a death sentence—and it can and will spread to neighboring trees through root systems,” says Dave Sheridan, owner and managing partner of Ascension Tree Care. “To mitigate risk, you should closely monitor temperature to ensure that the beetles are dormant before pruning an oak.”

Growing zones: 5 through 10
Size: 40 to 80 feet tall; 60 to 100 feet wide
Growing conditions: Adaptable to various soil types and requires at least four hours of direct sunlight and a deep watering at least once per week

02 of 06

Ash Trees

Mountain ash tree with berries. — Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images

Ash trees are particularly common in urban areas due to their resilience to weather, air pollution, compacted soil, and limited rooting space.

“While this is a low-maintenance species, pruning is essential to keeping your ash trees healthy,” says certified arborist Mark Chisholm. “Winter pruning is generally safer and more effective than pruning in other seasons because the tree is dormant, which reduces stress and allows the tree to begin sealing cuts.”

It’s also much easier to identify structural issues in ash trees during winter. The leaves have fallen, and the weak, poorly attached branches are more visible.

“While ash trees remain susceptible to pests and disease year-round, many insects are inactive during colder months,” says Chisholm. “However, winter pruning does not make the tree immune to threats such as emerald ash borer—it just minimizes additional risk.”

Growing zones: 2 through 9
Size: 50 to 80 feet tall; up to 50 feet wide
Growing conditions: Prefers moist, well-drained soil, full sunlight, and one inch of water per week

03 of 06

Maple Trees

Sugar maple with orange fall leaves. — The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a fall-foliage classic.
Getty Images

Few trees have a narrower dormant-season pruning window than maples.

“Their sap begins to flow very early and intensely,” says Kazakou. “To avoid excessive bleeding from the cuts, it’s best to prune maple in late fall or early winter, rather than mid-to-late winter.”

Growing zones: 3 through 9
Size: 40 to 80 feet tall; 30 to 50 feet wide
Growing conditions: Prefers rich, well-drained soil; requires six hours of full sun daily and deep watering, especially in intense heat

Birch Trees

These are birch branches and fresh leaves in nature in sunny spring day. — Getty Images

Birches have a unique flaw—they tend to bleed sap quite profusely if pruned during spring.

“It's important to be mindful of birch trees and prune them during the winter to avoid this issue," says Ward Dilmore, landscape designer and founder of Petrus Landscaping.

Growing zones: 2 through 8
Size: 25 to 70 feet tall; 25 to 35 feet wide
Growing conditions: Prefer full sunlight, sufficient water, and well-drained soil

05 of 06

Apple Trees

Apple tree in the garden — Alexander Shapovalov / Getty Images

Pruning apple trees during the winter is less about disease management and more about fruit production. “Winter pruning of apple trees tells the tree to direct energy towards pushing out fruit instead of foliage,” says Sheridan.

Growing zones: 4 through 9
Size: Up to 30 feet tall and wide
Growing conditions: Requires at least eight hours of sunlight; prefers rich, well-drained soil and at least an inch of water per week

06 of 06

Beech Trees

Closeup of beech tree leaves. — Jill_InspiredByDesign/Getty Images

Beech trees offer generous shade and vibrant fall color, making them a standout feature in any landscape.

“While they are relatively low maintenance, they do benefit from routine pruning to reduce potential risks, remove dead or weak branches, and help maintain overall health and vigor,” says Chisholm.

Like many large shade trees, beech trees benefit from winter pruning because they're dormant during this time—which reduces stress and allows cuts to begin sealing.

“Winter also makes it easier to identify structural concerns once the leaves have dropped,” Chisholm adds. “Because beech bark is thin and sensitive, careful winter pruning helps minimize the risk of bark tearing when removing larger limbs.”

Growing zones: 4 through 9
Size: 50 to 75 feet tall; 40 to 60 feet wide
Growing conditions: Prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and long, deep watering

Pruning Tips and Tricks

Keep feet firmly planted on the ground: Most homeowners should not prune larger trees unless they are able to make cuts from the ground, says Sheridan. Never use a ladder to prune.
Use clean, sharp tools: Sterilize the blades before moving from one tree to the next to prevent cross-contamination, says Kazakou.
Focus on specific limbs: When pruning, focus on removing dead, damaged, dying, or diseased branches, says Chisholm.
Prune in stages: For larger branches, start with a small cut on the underside of the branch a few inches away from the trunk, says Chisholm. Next, make a cut from the top slightly farther out so the weight of the branch can fall away safely. Once the heavy portion is removed, finish with a clean cut where the branch meets the trunk, being careful not to injure the branch collar.
Dispose of all branches: After pruning, dispose of all cut branches, says Kazakou. They can attract pests and may harbor diseases.

6 Trees You Should Always Prune in Winter for Healthier Spring Growth, Experts Say