8 Trees to Never Prune in Fall for the Best Results Next Year

Flowering Dogwood — Credit:
Jacky Parker Photography / GETTY IMAGES

When fall arrives, many gardeners break out their pruning shears to tidy their trees before winter. But not all species benefit from a seasonal trim. In fact, pruning certain trees in fall exposes them to diseases, pests, or reduced growth. Many trees set their flowers and fruit for the following season in fall, so cutting them prematurely can remove this growth, causing naked trees next season. To avoid these issues, we spoke to gardening experts who shared the trees they say to never prune in fall.

Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension
Galen Gates, horticulturist, speaker, professor, and contributor to more than 90 books on plants

01 of 08

Apple Tree

Apple trees (Malus spp.) set their flower buds for the next growing season in fall. "Fall pruning removes the flower buds, which reduces fruit yield the following spring," says Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension. Additionally, pruning in fall before a tree has acclimated to freezing temperatures can lower winter hardiness, making your tree more susceptible to damage and disease. Wait until late winter to prune after the coldest temperatures have past.

02 of 08

Sour Cherry Tree

Cherries hanging from one of the trees — Credit:
jaspersmith / Getty Images

Pruning sour cherry trees (Prunus cerasus) in the fall exposes them to silver leaf fungus. "Open wounds from pruning will not heal over until spring, allowing the fungus to infiltrate," says Langelo. This disease turns the leaves of the tree silver, hence the name, and then the branch dies. Like apple trees, it's best to wait until late winter to cut back sour cherry trees.

03 of 08

Chinese Fringe Flower

According to Langelo, Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinensis) can be tricky to prune. "It blooms on both old and new wood. Old wood produces flowers in the spring, while new wood blooms in summer," she says. Pruning this tree in fall may remove the old wood blooms that would appear in spring. Langelo also notes that pruning in fall encourages new growth that won't survive winter's frosts and freezing temperatures.

04 of 08

Callery Pear

Pruning the Callery pear tree (Pyrus calleryana) in fall creates exposed wounds that become entry points for diseases, like fire blight. This contagious, bacterial disease can kill blossoms and shoots and is common amongst pear and apple trees. "Pruning in late winter and early spring allows the pruning cuts to heal over faster," says Langelo.

05 of 08

Hawthorn Tree

Winter King Hawthorn — Credit:
Joshua McCullough, PhytoPhoto / GETTY IMAGES

Hawthorn trees (Crataegus cvs.) provide multiple seasons of interest. To appreciate its stunning blooms and fruit, pruning should be done in late winter. "Flowers form during the growing season, so fall pruning would remove the flowers and consequently the fruit," says horticulturist Galen Gates. He also notes that fire blight, cankers, and wood rot are potential problems in hawthorns, and fall pruning can expose them to these diseases.

06 of 08

Magnolia

Magnolias (Magnolia cvs.) are known for their dramatic, beautiful flowers. "Flower buds are set during the growing season, so fall pruning is out of the question to appreciate their arresting, floral display," says Gates. "Fall pruning removes all flower buds, which renders the plant void of ornamental character other than, perhaps, a warm-yellow fall color."

07 of 08

Flowering Dogwood

American dogwood Pink — Credit:
Brenda Smith/Getty Images

Like the other trees on this list, pruning flowering dogwoods (Cornus) in fall can cut off the following season's blooms. What's more, Gates notes that fall pruning exposes native dogwood to Septoria leaf spot and Anthracnose, a fungal canker. "As a result, pruning in late winter is advised when spores are not readily present," he says. "If you must prune in spring, it is advisable to sterilize pruning shears between cuts."

08 of 08

Serviceberry

Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a four-season tree that sports fall color and an attractive, upright branching habit in winter. "These trees can become a focal point, acting as a specimen in the long winter months when most landscape interest wanes," says Galen. "Given the early spring flowers, pruning should not occur in fall as flower buds have been set for the following year."