Dormant Pruning: What It Is and Why Clarkdale Trees Love It

Winter tree care is a thing: trees need care and pruning even when they’re not actively growing. Knowing what to prune, when to trim trees, and how to prune correctly during dormancy will get you great results in the spring.

What to Prune During Winter

There are several native Clarkdale trees that need winter pruning. Here are the trees we recommend trimming during winter, by tree species.

• Deciduous Trees: Trim native deciduous trees from December through February while the branches are bare. This improved visibility means you can more easily see the structure of deciduous trees like redbuds and Japanese Maples to check for signs of tree disease.  
• Evergreens: Evergreens don’t lose their leaves, but trimming them during the same winter period (Dec-Feb) prevents overgrowth. Nutrients and sunlight will be better able to reach all parts of an evergreen tree after its winter pruning. 
• Mesquite Trees: Pruning mesquite trees from late winter to early spring helps to lower the risk of pest activity or infestation. 
• Citrus Trees: Lightly shape Arizona citrus trees around mid-February to avoid damage from any potential frost if you live in one of our colder/higher-elevation areas. Don’t overtrim or overprune them: that could stunt or stop their growth. 

What Happens While Trees Are Dormant?

Trees are considered dormant when they’re still alive, but not actively growing. Think of it like hibernation: the tree is, in a sense, resting to conserve its energy for the highly active, stressful spring and summer seasons. During dormancy, trees’ inner workings slow down and pause until environmental conditions change to allow for productive growth. Evergreen tree species retain their foliage thanks to adaptations, while deciduous trees lose their leaves and enter dormancy. Going dormant allows them to prevent the loss of water and nutrients, and helps them avoid cold-weather damage. 

Not only is winter pruning good for the trees, but it also makes tree care easier for you. Pruning is easier and more effective when you can see and access entire limbs more easily. Bare limbs and branches are also easier to handle and remove.

Tree pruning and trimming are great for trees’ long-term health and growth. Proper pruning improves air circulation and sunlight penetration. That can prevent tree disease and make it easier for trees to absorb vital water and nutrients from the soil and sun. 

winter pruning how-to: safety tips and more

Here’s what we recommend if you’re going to try DIY winter pruning. [These tips are helpful for any season, but a majority of Clarkdale trees are pruned in winter.]:

1. Safety first. Wear your protective gear when pruning, including insulated gloves, boots, and safety glasses.
2. Use tree trimming equipment that works properly and is adequately sharpened.
3. Cut just outside the branch collar to encourage proper tree healing.
4. Don’t make any cuts flush with the trunk, and don’t leave any stubs on the tree. 
5. Remove any branches that cross, rub against each other, or grow inward. That prevents breakage, overgrowth, and pest issues. 
6. Sterilize your trimming and pruning equipment after each tree you trim to avoid spreading pests or disease to the next tree you prune. 
7. Know the most common Arizona tree diseases (and pest activity) to deal with threats proactively. If you’re unsure whether a tree in your yard is diseased, don’t trim it. Ask an Arizona tree care expert. breakage.