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Article: Winter Pruning; How, Why and Which Plants to Trim
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- February 17, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Like most other endeavors in the garden, pruning has its rules,
and the first rule of pruning deciduous trees and shrubs is that the
best time for such surgery is now. A plant is least likely to be
shocked during its winter dormancy. Also, winter is the most
convenient season for the gardener to cut and saw - before the
growing season's demands of planting and weeding and harvesting.
Not every plant should be pruned now. It is best to wait for
the growing season for evergreen hedges; conifers must be pruned
judiciously or the plant will be ruined; and hacking back deciduous
woody plants such as flowering quince might deprive you of a
spectacular spring flower show.
However, the loss ...