It’s time to prune!
MOST deciduous trees will need to be pruned during the dormant days of autumn and winter, once all or most of their leaves have dropped. At this time of year, their sap has retreated down into the very core of the trunk, meaning they shouldn’t ‘bleed’ as profusely as at other times of the year. However, certain trees, including plum, cherry, apricot, almonds, and rhododendron, are susceptible to the fungal disease silver leaf, which releases spores between September and May. These spores can infect fresh pruning wounds, so vulnerable trees should be pruned between early and mid-summer. Evergreens should also be left alone until later in spring, to avoid damage by frost. The idea of pruning is to keep the tree or shrub healthy and in good shape; an open ‘goblet’ is ideal,…
