Last Call To Winter Prune

Cut back trees and shrubs for spring growth, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

THE return of longer, lighter days and the flowers of spring have been welcome sights. However, this annual resurgence of vigour means there is no time to be lost completing essential winter tasks – and pruning is one of the most important.

It is already too late to prune grapevines, Japanese maple and birch trees as their sap rises in late winter and if cut now they will ‘bleed’ profusely from their wounds. If you haven’t already pruned these, wait until next winter.