5 Trees You Should Never Cut Back in December, According to an Arborist Waiting to prune can boost your spring blossoms. Close Credit: Billy_Fam / Getty Images With winter approaching, your gardening to-do list is filled with maintenance tasks, like raking leaves, mulching plants, and removing snow. You might consider pruning trees, too—but not all of them should be cut back in December. Trees that produce spring blooms on old wood should be left alone, as they rely on winter energy stores to produce flowers. Pruning them now won't kill the plant, but it can force energy toward new leaves and growth, rather than blooms. So save pruning these five trees for spring or summer—and spend the winter looking forward to when they'll blossom once more. 8 Trees You Should Never Plant in Your Yard, According to an Arborist 01 of 05 Dogwood If you want your dogwood to look its best in spring and summer, then refrain from pruning it in winter. "Dogwoods set their flower buds on old wood from the previous growing season," says David Horvath, an ISA-certified arborist at The Davey Tree. "Winter pruning will disrupt the tree's natural growth cycle." Instead, he recommends pruning a dogwood two to three weeks after its flowers fade in the spring. "This protects the spring blooms and promotes the tree's natural growth cycle," he says. 02 of 05 Cherry Tree Credit: inoc / Getty Images Most ornamental cherry trees rely on last year's new growth to form the next spring's blooms. Pruning old wood during the winter decreases the number of blooms you'll get, and saps the resources your cherry tree needs. "Winter cuts eliminate blossom buds and diminish the tree’s showy spring display," says Horvath. "Removing too much live wood during dormancy reduces the stored energy reserves that the tree needs for spring growth." Instead, prune after flowering, when all the petals have dropped. How to Plant a Cherry Pit to Grow a Fruit-Bearing Tree at Home 03 of 05 Redbud Tree Trimming redbud trees during the colder months results in fewer buds and blooms. "[These] trees bloom on old wood from the previous growing season," says Horvath. "The tree relies on its natural spring flush for structure and wildlife value. Once spring blooming has finished, prune to maintain the naturalistic shape and form." 04 of 05 Crepe Myrtle Credit: Joe_Potato / Getty Images Crepe myrtles bloom in mid to late spring and provide an array of beautiful flowers all summer. However, pruning them too soon—in fall or early winter—can jeopardize new growth, as it may be exposed to freezing temperatures and frost before going dormant. "Prune in late winter to early spring, and deadhead spent flowers throughout the blooming period to maintain a tidy look," says Horvath. 05 of 05 Lilac Tree Boost your lilac tree's production of fragrant, purple panicles by pruning after the flowering season—in late spring—instead of winter. "Heavy winter pruning forces the plant to redirect energy into excessive vegetative growth, rather than flowering and balanced growth," says Horvath. Since lilac trees bloom on old wood, a winter pruning will also mean cutting off future flowers. Explore more: Garden