Spring is a good time for pruning for many shrubs, ornamental trees and fruit trees. It stimulates growth, promotes flower formation and guarantees a rich harvest for crops. Which trees should you cut in February? We list the species that need pruning.
Which trees should you cut in February and what should you pay attention to?
Most woody plants grow in several phases. In spring they sprout using stored reserves. They produce flowers and bear fruit in spring and summer. In this second phase, they absorb the necessary nutrients through water and through photosynthesis. At the end of summer and autumn they begin to store reserves for the next spring. The rest period begins in winter.
Pruning at the right time promotes budding and flower formation. However, if you cut the plant too late, flower formation will be postponed or even stop altogether. If you cut the plants too early, they can freeze. The right time therefore plays a crucial role.
In addition, severe pruning is only permitted by law until the end of February. Therefore, certain hedge plants have to be cut in spring, although in some cases it actually makes more sense to cut them back in April or May.
Pruning serves to renew the tree. His goal is a rich harvest and a long flowering period. A topiary, on the other hand, can also be done in spring. The shrub or tree is shaped into the desired shape.
Useful tips for pruning in spring:
- ThePruning in winterfirst promotes new sprouting and then – flower formation.
- The plants should be cut with sharp pruning shears, otherwise cracks could occur.
- It is best to remove old wood every two to three years and rejuvenate the trees. The rejuvenation cut has another decisive advantage: the cuts on new wood heal significantly faster than on old wood.
When should you prune roses?
Roses are cut differently depending on the type. For most species, now is the right time for a caring cut.
Edelrosena rejuvenation cut is missed. All weak shoots that do not produce flowers are removed and the rest are shortened. The branches should be cut diagonally so that rainwater can drain away and the cut edges do not rot.
For shrub rosesShoots that are over 3 years old are cut off close to the ground. The rest is just shortened.
Climbing roses need rejuvenation pruning in spring. The old shoots (over three years old) are removed, the new ones - just shortened to promote flower formation.
Wild roses are only thinned out very sparingly when necessary. Varieties that produce flowers only once a year are not cut at all. Because these roses have already formed their buds.
Which trees should you cut in spring? The garden hibiscus
The garden hibiscus is heavily cut at the end of February. The sick, old and competing shoots are completely removed. Young shoots are only shortened by a third. In addition, older bushes are thinned out. Young plants are usually not cut back so much, but rather just shaped into the desired shape. A frost-free day in mid-February is ideal for this.
Cut hydrangeas
Hydrangeas, regardless of the type, tolerate pruning best in February. Of course, the necessary cutting measures vary from species to speciesPanicle hydrangea and snowball hydrangeaare cut back in spring. The procedure is very similar: the shoots on the outside are shortened to one pair of buds and the shoots in the middle - to two pairs of buds. In addition, the plant can be thinned out.
The farmer's hydrangea and the climbing plantdo not require severe pruning. They sprout and bloom on old wood, so only the dead ones are removed in spring.
Which trees need pruning in February? Cut buddleia
Buddleia also only produces flowers on this year's wood. The old wood is cut off close to the ground. The shrub is also thinned out every year. The tree also tolerates vigorous pruning, which has a rejuvenating effect on old bushes. The right time to do this is until the end of February. It's best to wait until the permanent frost has passed.
Cut back fruit trees
For pome fruitLike apples and pears, February is the right time for a caring cut. The fruit trees need this every 2-3 years so that they continue to produce plenty of fruit. Diseased, upward-growing water shoots and inward-growing branches are cut off.
Shrubs likeRaspberries and blackberriesalso need a caring cut in spring. Old shoots in particular are removed; the rest are just shortened.
Exception: Evergreen shrubs do not need pruning
Evergreen shrubs are an exception. The trees are often also referred to ascalled hedge plantsand stay active even in winter. They don't need pruning, but you can thin them out and shorten them. They also tolerate topiary cuts without any problems and can recover quickly. However, the cut has no effect on the flower formation and cannot promote strong sprouting. In principle you can cut them, but you don't have to.
