Have you ever looked at your trees and shrubs and wondered, “Am I supposed to be trimming these now?” You’re not alone! Knowing when to prune can feel like a mystery, but timing is everything when it comes to keeping your landscape healthy and beautiful.
For most trees, shrubs, and perennials in Central Texas, the best time to prune is between December and February. This is when plants are dormant, making it the safest and most effective time for trimming.
So when should you prune specific plants–and what mistakes should you avoid? Let’s explore the answers to all of your questions about when is the best time of year to trim trees.
Learn more about:
Benefits of Pruning and Trimming
When to Prune Woody Perennials
When to Trim Trees in Texas
When To Prune Shrubs
The Worst Time to Prune Trees
Benefits of Partnering with a Professional
The Benefits of Pruning and Trimming
If you want your landscape to look its absolute best year-round, regular pruning and trimming are essential. Beyond just keeping things tidy, proper pruning promotes healthier plants, enhances curb appeal, improves safety, and ensures your trees and shrubs thrive for years to come.
1. Healthier Plants That Last Longer
Pruning removes dead, diseased, or damaged branches, allowing your trees and shrubs to focus their energy on new, healthy growth. Thinning out crowded branches also improves airflow and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of fungal and pest infestations. By regularly pruning, you’re investing in the long-term vitality of your landscape.
2. A More Polished, Beautiful Landscape
Overgrown shrubs and misshapen trees can make even the most well-maintained yard look unkempt. Proper trimming shapes plants, encouraging balanced growth and enhancing hte natural beauty of your landscape. Whether you want a crisp, manicured look or a softer, more natural appearance, pruning is the key to keeping your yard looking its best.
3. Protecting Your Home and Loved Ones
Unpruned trees can pose serious risks–weak or overhanging branches may fall during storms, damaging your home, and vehicles, or even injuring someone. Regular trimming reduces these hazards, making your yard a safer place for family and guests. Keeping trees well-maintained prevents branches from interfering with power lines or encroaching on structures like your garage.
4. Encouraging Stronger, More Resilient Growth
Strategic pruning helps trees and shrubs develop a strong structure, reducing the likelihood of future breakage. By directing growth, pruning ensures plants put their energy into their healthiest branches, leading to a more vibrant landscape. A well-maintained tree is not only more attractive but also better equipped to withstand Central Texas’s unpredictable weather.
So, When is the Best Time to Trim Trees, Shrubs, and Plantings?
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning. Pruning at the right time not only keeps your landscape looking beautiful but also ensures your plants stay healthy and strong. Here’s a seasonal breakdown of when to prune woody perennials, trees, and shrubs in Central Texas.
Woody Perennials: Esperanza, Lantana, Hardy Hibiscus, and More
Many woody perennials thrive when they are pruned back as soon as they go dormant–typically in December. While some homeowners wait until early spring, pruning in December promotes healthier regrowth and keeps your landscape looking tidy through the winter months.
For roses, timing is key. They should be pruned right before they begin putting on new growth, making Valentine’s Day the perfect deadline. Pruning in mid-February encourages strong spring blooms and keeps your roses healthy and well-shaped.
At Green Ackors, our team visits properties between 42-52 times per year, meaning we are there every other week from November through March. This allows us to monitor perennials and cut them back precisely when they go dormant, ensuring they get the care they need at the right time.
Tree Pruning: Ornamental and Shade Trees
Ornamental trees like Crape Myrtles, Redbuds, and Vytex should be pruned in February, focusing on removing dead or broken branches and shaping the tree for aesthetics. Shade trees like Oaks, Elms, and Cypress should also be pruned in February to remove any weak, damaged, or overgrown limbs.
The best pruning tip for trees is to remember your trimming should be about 80% and 20% art–focusing mostly on plant health but also considering curb appeal.
Some trees-especially fast-growing varieties–may need more frequent trimming, particularly if they were planted in a less-than-ideal location. However, all major tree pruning should be completed by the end of February before the trees fully emerge from dormancy.
Shrubs: Trim Based on Growth and Aesthetic Preference
Unlike trees and perennials, shrubs don’t need to follow a strict pruning schedule. Instead, they should be trimmed as needed based on their growth rate and desired appearance.
For example, a dwarf yaupon holly may need trimming up to eight times a year to maintain a neat, compact look. Ornamental grasses are typically only cut back once per year, usually in late winter before new growth emerges.
Don’t focus on pruning shrubs on a rigid 3 times a year or 5 times a year schedule. Instead, assess each plant’s individual needs to keep your landscape looking its best year-round.
The Worst Time to Prune Trees: Analyzing the Risks of Improper Pruning Practices
Pruning at the wrong time can do more harm than good, especially for oak trees in Central Texas. One of the biggest risks is oak wilt, a devastating disease that spreads quickly and can kill even the largest healthiest trees.
Oak wilt is primarily spread by a small sap-feeding wasp that is active in late spring and early summer. If you prune oaks, especially Live Oaks and Red Oaks, during this time, fresh cuts can attract these insects, increasing the risk of infection. If pruning is necessary, be sure to clean all tools (loppers, chainsaws, handsaws) with a bleach-based disinfectant between every tree trim to prevent disease spread.
No matter which tree you are pruning, it is wise to always use a sealant to protect the fresh cut and speed up healing.
Partnering with a Professional for Pruning and Trimming Yard Maintenance Services in Waco, TX
Pruning is essential to maintaining a healthy, beautiful landscape, but knowing when and how to do it makes all the difference. From trimming woody perennials in December to shaping ornamental and shade trees in February, proper timing ensures your plants thrive.
Keeping up with pruning throughout the year can be an overwhelming task. Most homeowners simply don’t have the time to monitor their landscape and trim plants as needed.
That’s where Green Ackors comes in. When you start an account with us, we take the time to understand your specific preferences–whether you like neatly trimmed shrubs or a more natural look–and maintain your landscape to those expectations. With regular, professional care, we make sure your trees, shrubs, and perennials stay healthy and vibrant year-round.
Ready to take the hassle out of yard maintenance? Get started today by filling out our contact form!
