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Typically, we think of spring and summer as the times to do plant pruning. After all, that’s when they’re growing, so it makes sense to clean them up then. However, there are plenty of reasons to prune and clean up your yard during the winter months as well. In fact, proper pruning in the winter can make your plants healthier by the time summer comes around again.
During the winter, most plants are lying dormant in the ground and not growing. This makes pruning much safer and easier, especially since you can see the branches clearly without any obstruction from leaves. Pruning dead or damaged sections of your plants can actually help them recover when spring comes around, providing them with the extra energy they need to bloom. It also helps sunlight filter through the branches and twigs, feeding the plant while it lies dormant.
Winter is also a great time to do some regular yard cleanup as well. Because the leaves have already fallen and the plants and trees are dormant, you can clean up any waste in your yard and make sure it’s clear by the time the spring comes along. This is especially true in places like northern Texas, where you’re unlikely to experience a ton of rain or snowfall. Getting your yard work done in December or January before the rainy months come along is a great way to make your job easier while ensuring that your lawn is ready for spring.
Once you’re done, you’ll likely find yourself with a ton of yard waste to clean up. You might be able to fit it in your regular recycling bin, but if you have a large yard, you might consider bringing in a professional junk and yard waste cleaning company like Junk King Dallas Mid-Cities. We have a ton of experience hauling away branches, dirt, mulch, lawn trimmings, and pretty much anything else your winter cleaning might generate.
Tips for Winter Pruning
Winter in Flower Mound is relatively mild, but you should still make sure to pick a fairly dry, warm day for your yard work. Since the ground probably won’t freeze over the winter, you don’t have to worry too much about adding extra mulch on top of the soil. Still, there’s plenty for you to do to get your plants ready for the spring.
First, start by trimming away any dead or diseased branches and twigs on your plant. Don’t feel the need to err on the side of caution too much – if a branch seems dead, trim it! Once that’s done, you can start trimming down overgrown branches that are still alive. The goal here is to make sure the crown of the plant is getting enough air and sunlight. Don’t worry too much if you end up over-pruning – they will grow back. However, you should try to leave the branches that develop and maintain the structure of the plant.
What Should I Prune in Winter?
Most plants can benefit from winter pruning, but there are a few that you should avoid touching until the spring or summer. Shrubs that bloom in the spring, for example, like forsythia, quince, and azalea bushes, should be left alone during the winter. Shrubs like these should be pruned only after they bloom, as soon as you see them flowering. The same goes for spring-flowering trees, like lilacs, hydrangeas, and ornamental fruit trees. These trees have bloom buds set on old growth, which means they need old branches to stay for years after blooming. However, it’s still safe to remove faded flowers and dead branches from spring-blooming trees.
Certain roses, like damasks and mosses, only bloom once a year and require old growth to do so, much like spring-flowering trees. They should also be pruned only in the summer after blooming, and you should focus on removing only dead branches if you can. The same goes for gardenias, which can bloom anywhere from late spring to early fall, and should only be pruned once they’ve flowered.
Finally, trees like dogwoods, maples, birches, elms, and walnuts should also probably be pruned in the summer. These so-called “bleeding” trees produce a bunch of excess sap in the winter, which makes pruning a difficult and messy process. While pruning these trees in the winter won’t cause them any harm, it’s definitely a lot easier to do so in the spring or summer, when there’s less sap.
When pruning, try to keep any branches or twigs you remove in a pile or trash bag, to make clean-up easier. The bags can then be recycled if your bin has enough room, or Junk King Dallas Mid-Cities can just take care of the trimmings for you. Whether it’s branches, mulch, dirt, or anything else your lawn might generate, we’ll make sure it ends up in the right place.
Call Junk King Dallas Mid-Cities for your Yard Waste Needs
At Junk King, we’re pros at hauling away pretty much any kind of waste you can imagine, including yard waste. Whether you’re finishing up a winter pruning session or doing a complete overhaul of your lawn, we’re here to help. In fact, we’ll get rid of pretty much anything short of toxic or radioactive waste. That means branches, stumps, sod, mulch, old timber, firewood, fencing, and even windows, shingles, and other outdoor construction debris.
At Junk King, we feel that pricing should be simple and transparent, which is why we offer free estimates for anyone thinking about using our services. If you’re considering having us haul away your yard waste or any other junk you might have, you can give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK for a free estimate, or use our online price estimation tool at home. For a more accurate estimate, set an appointment for an in-person appraisal, or text a picture of your yard waste to 1-737-888-5865.
For junk removal in the Flower Mound area, Junk King Dallas Mid-Cities has the expertise, low prices, and great customer service that you’re looking for – we guarantee it.
