Don't Miss the January Pruning Window – 7 Trees that Love a Winter Trim, With Expert Advice on How to Prune Safely
Discover trimming tips from a professional horticulturist
January can be a mixed bag for gardeners, with what you can and can’t do dictated by the weather, and also your mood. Sometimes it is simply too cold or snowy to garden, but on bright days, some tasks need to be done. If the opportunity arises, and you fancy some major trimming this month, then there are some trees to prune in January for a seasonal gardening fix.
But please be careful about judging when to prune trees. Only head out on bright non-frosty days, and, if there are hard frosts or snow predicted in the coming days, don’t risk the health of the tree by pruning. Don’t make weather-related tree pruning mistakes, especially as the window to trim deciduous trees runs until late winter or early spring.
7 Trees to Prune in January – Be Ready For Trimming
Before doing any trimming, take a moment to ensure your pruning tools are sharp and ready for the job.
Keeping your tools sharp will make trimming easier. It also means you make cuts that any tree can heal without undue issues. You do need a mix of pruning tools for trees, so you have the right tool for different branch thicknesses.
This Fiskars pruning set at Walmart has pruning shears, loppers, and a pruning saw, which can be all you need for tree trimming. And a simple pocket-sized sharpener like this one at Amazon is ideal for putting a sharp edge on shears and loppers in preparation. Your trees will thank you for using sharp and appropriate tools to prune tree branches.
1. Rowan
Also known as the mountain ash, rowan trees are found across much of North America. With white blossom followed by red berries that look stunning and make a great food source for birds, the rowan offers year-round beauty.
Therefore, knowing when and how to prune rowan trees ensures you trim them correctly to ensure you get the best display of berries. It also prevents branches from being overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of fruit and snapping under all that weight.
The best time to prune is during the tree’s dormancy, from November to February. Provided the weather conditions are right, January can be an ideal time to give your rowan tree some TLC.
Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, along with any crossing or growing inwards. This opens up the canopy to allow more air circulation and light penetration, which helps keep the tree healthy.
You can shape and thin the canopy to give it a good, even form, but don’t remove more than 20% of the branches in one go. A pair of clean, sharp pruning shears, such as these Felco F2 pruners at Amazon, can be ideal tools for removing smaller branches or suckers.
2. Sassafras
A sassafras tree stands out thanks to its distinctive lobed and aromatic foliage. These leaves, which often resemble a mitten, start green in spring and turn fiery shades of yellow, red, and orange in the fall for a spectacular seasonal display.
Sassafras is a native tree found throughout eastern North America and generally requires minimal pruning. When pruning is necessary, it should be done during dormancy.
The two main aspects of trimming are removing dead, damaged, diseased, or weak branches and cutting away suckers to prevent the formation of spreading clumps.
Always wear thick gardening gloves when handling or working with sassafras plants, as they contain a compound considered carcinogenic. You can get thick gardening gloves at Walmart to keep yourself safe when growing sassafras.
3. Balsam Poplar
Poplar trees are North American hardwoods that can live for centuries, and Balsam poplar gets its name from its pointed leaves and fragrant buds that emit a smell reminiscent of balsam fir trees.
It is not just this type of poplar that is best pruned in winter, but any of the fast-growing poplars.
Dormancy is the best time to lightly trim and shape trees, as well as do any larger-scale maintenance pruning. It is an ideal time to see the skeleton of branches without leaves, and it reduces stress on the tree.
To prune poplar trees, aim to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Also, identify and remove any crossing or rubbing stems that can create entry points for diseases, and remove any suckers that will steal energy away from the rest of the tree.
A pair of loppers and a pruning saw will be required for larger branches, such as this folding pruning saw at Walmart, which can cut through branches up to five inches in diameter.
4. Mulberry
Mulberry trees are low-maintenance trees that produce tart, juicy fruits ideal for jams, jellies, and puddings. These fruit trees don’t require lots of pruning, and you can have a healthy mulberry tree that fruits well with only a few cuts.
It is recommended to do your mulberry pruning while the tree is dormant to reduce stress and avoid it bleeding sap. Another good rule of thumb is to never prune branches over two inches in diameter. This is because the mulberry tree struggles to heal over large pruning cuts, and large wounds leave it susceptible to pests and diseases.
Work with a gentle hand to remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches, crossing or weak branches, and a few selected stems to thin out congested areas of the canopy. Finally, remove any suckers around the base of the tree.
5. American Linden
Tilea americana, known as the American Linden or American Basswood, is native to eastern North America and makes a great tree for shade.
However, it is also notorious for being a fast-growing hardwood tree, which makes regular pruning essential to keep it contained in a backyard. If you have the space, it produces heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, and you’ll see birds attracted to the seeds and shelter it provides.
Pruning is best carried out every three to five years to manage the tree's shape and structure. This task must be done while the tree is dormant, before the sap begins to rise. Remove dead, damaged, and crossing branches, as well as crowded areas and low-hanging branches.
An extendable pruner, such as this tree pruner and pole saw at Amazon, will likely be required, but professional assistance may need to be brought in for trimming very large American linden trees.
6. Honey Locust
Honey locust trees are deciduous and don’t usually need much maintenance or pruning. They can be resilient trees that thrive in cities, with fine, fern-like foliage and a spreading canopy.
Honey locusts offer stunning color, and modern cultivated varieties offer a thornless and podless alternative to traditional wild types. For example, a popular variety is Skyline, and you can get a striking Skyline Honey locust tree at Fast Growing Trees.
Honey locust trees will benefit from light pruning during dormancy to remove dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing branches, and do any light shaping as required. But it should all be done with a light touch.
Remember the one-third pruning rule and avoid heavy pruning, which will impact the health and result in uncontrolled regrowth.
7. Crabapple
Crabapple trees are really low-maintenance trees for your backyard ideas and do not require lots of regular pruning.
These tough and reliable plants are great trees for small gardens, and they want to be pruned before the new leaves for the year have started developing. In areas with milder winters, they can be pruned from late-January onwards once the worst of the winter weather has passed.
One priority with crabapple pruning is to remove congested branches to open up the air circulation through the tree, which is key to preventing diseases, as well as removing water sprouts and suckers.
The former grow profusely in the angle between branches, while suckers develop at the base of the tree, and both should be removed as they divert precious energy away from the rest of the tree.
If you want more inspiration for January gardening jobs, we’ve got you covered. This guide to plants to prune in January contains deciduous shrubs and vines that will reward you with a top display after pruning this month.
You can also see these guides on vegetables to plant in January and flowers to sow in January to get your new gardening year off to a highly productive start.
Shop Tree Pruning Tools
Both pruning tools have precision-ground steel blades that help make tree trimming easier. The loppers can cut branches up to 1-1/2 inches thick.
This lightweight, carbon steel pole saw features eight sections that can be used to extend the pruning range from 7.3 to 27 feet.
This versatile tool can transform from a handheld saw to a pole saw reaching up to 10 feet. It can cut through branches up to six inches thick and comes with two batteries.
