When Is the Best Time to Trim Shrubs and Trees? Knowing the right time to trim your shrubs and trees can make a big difference in their health and appearance. Pruning at the optimal time encourages growth, prevents disease, and helps keep your landscape looking its best. So, when is the right time to trim? Let’s break it down: Winter (Late Winter/Early Spring) For most trees and shrubs, winter is the ideal time to prune, particularly late winter before new growth starts. In this dormant phase, plants conserve energy, and pruning stimulates fresh growth as soon as the weather warms. Deciduous trees especially benefit from winter pruning because without leaves, it’s easier to spot and remove dead or diseased branches. Spring (Right After Blooming) For flowering shrubs and trees, timing your pruning right after they finish blooming is key. Species like lilacs, forsythia, and azaleas should be trimmed just after they flower in spring to encourage future blooms. Pruning too late can cut off next year’s flower buds, so it’s important to act shortly after they bloom. Summer (Mid to Late Summer) Summer pruning can help slow down growth in shrubs and trees that tend to get a little too unruly. Light trimming of hedges and evergreens during this time is fine, but avoid heavy pruning as it can stress plants during the hot season. You can also prune fruit trees in the summer to thin out branches and allow more sunlight to reach the fruit. Fall (Avoid Major Pruning) Fall may seem like a good time to tidy up, but heavy pruning during this season can actually harm plants. Trimming too late in the year can stimulate new growth that won’t have time to harden before the winter freeze. However, it’s a good time to remove any dead or damaged branches before winter storms hit. Key Takeaway: Late winter/early spring is ideal for most trees and shrubs. Spring pruning is best for flowering varieties after blooming. Summer pruning can help manage growth. Fall pruning should be limited to cleaning up damaged or dead branches. By timing your trimming properly, you can ensure your trees and shrubs stay healthy, beautiful, and ready to thrive all year long!