Boxmoor Direct November 2023 | Page 26

will be cutting off their flowering branches .
• Evergreen trees are best left alone during winter so that their leaves can form a type of protection against cold and wind . Some evergreen conifers will never regrow if you cut back into old wood , so it ’ s vital to know which plant you are dealing with before taking any drastic action . attraction . Their bright stems are some of the most rewarding sights throughout winter gloom and they can be left right until early spring .
• Stay away from shrubs that flower early in spring , including lilacs , magnolias and rhododendrons . You
Get to work on these Apple and pear trees need you during winter . Any time from November through to March is ideal when the trees are dormant . Aim firstly to deal with the ‘ three Ds ’: dead , diseased and damaged branches . Pruning stimulates growth and helps to encourage a good crop of fruit while allowing light and air circulation into the tree , both of which are important for good health . Pruning also enables a shape to be maintained so that the tree doesn ’ t outgrow the allocated space . This is equally important for bush forms as it is for trained fruit trees , such as cordons , fans and espaliers .
Soft fruit bushes , such as blackcurrants , redcurrants and blueberries , can all be trimmed during winter . You should aim to achieve a goblet form , removing old wood and enabling good air
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