What to prune in January?

January is the quietest month in the garden, but a good month to prune trees and fruit trees: without leaves you can see the shape of the crown best. Don’t prune when it’s freezing.

In the garden in January

  • Prune apple and pear trees (winter pruning) on frost-free days.
  • Pollard willows and coppice trees while they are dormant.
  • Plant bare-root trees and hedges if the ground isn’t frozen.
  • Shake heavy snow off hedges and conifers so the branches don’t break.
  • Hang up fat balls and put out fresh water for the birds.

In the wild

  • In mild weather, hazel and cornelian cherry are already in flower.
  • Witch hazel flowers with fragrant, spidery blooms.
  • Now you can recognise trees by their buds, bark and silhouette.

Trees and shrubs to prune

Pruning guide by plant

For each plant: when and how to prune, how much to remove and what it means for wildlife.

Read more

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Laden…