When Is the Best Time to Prune Trees? Late Winter Dos and Don’ts Guide

January is prime planning season for healthy trees in Wichita Falls. As landscapes rest, late winter pruning sets canopies up for strong spring growth, improves safety ahead of windy North Texas fronts, and boosts curb appeal. Greenwood Landscaping’s veteran-led crew provides precise, insured tree trimming across Wichita Falls, Pleasant Valley, Burkburnett, Sheppard AFB, Iowa Park, Holliday, and nearby communities—tailored to species, site conditions, and your goals.

Is late winter really the best time to prune trees?

For most shade and ornamental trees in North Texas, yes. Late winter (roughly January to early March) aligns with dormancy, so cuts heal quickly when growth resumes and pest pressure is lower. It’s ideal for deadwood removal, light thinning to improve airflow, and clearance pruning over sidewalks, driveways, and roofs. Important exceptions apply: spring-blooming shrubs and trees (like redbuds) are best pruned right after they flower, and oaks require extra care due to oak wilt. We prefer pruning live and red oaks in the coldest months and paint wounds immediately when cuts can’t be delayed.

Late Winter Pruning Dos for North Texas Trees

• Prioritize safety: Remove dead, diseased, rubbing, or broken branches first to prevent storm drop.
• Make proper cuts: Use clean, angled cuts just outside the branch collar to speed sealing and reduce decay.
• Thin, don’t strip: Selective interior thinning improves light and air without over-removing foliage.
• Lift for clearance: Maintain 8–10 feet above sidewalks and drives; keep limbs off roofs and away from gutters.
• Sanitize tools: Disinfect between trees; on oaks, seal fresh cuts right away to mitigate oak wilt risk.
• Review structure: With leaves gone, correct poor branch unions and reduce end-weight where needed.

Don’ts That Can Harm Your Trees

• Don’t top trees: Avoid “crape murder” and topping—these practices invite decay and weak regrowth.
• Don’t over-prune: Removing more than 20–25% of live canopy in one season stresses trees.
• Don’t make flush cuts: Cutting into the trunk collar slows healing and opens the door to disease.
• Don’t prune right before a hard freeze or during extreme drought stress.
• Don’t ignore utility lines: Leave high-voltage clearance to utilities; we’ll advise safe setbacks.
• Don’t paint every wound: Outside of oaks (for oak wilt management), most species heal best without sealants.

What to Prune Now—and What to Time Later

Most hardwoods like elm, hackberry, and pecan respond well to late-winter thinning and deadwood removal. Crepe myrtles can be selectively thinned in late winter to remove crossing or interior shoots—never topped. Evergreen hollies and ligustrum tolerate strategic shaping now, but heavy cuts on cold-sensitive shrubs should wait until the risk of hard freezes passes. For spring bloomers such as redbud and some fruiting ornamentals, save major shaping until after flowering to preserve buds.

Cleanup, Haul-Off, and Walkway Safety

Pruning is only half the job—clean, safe grounds matter too. Greenwood Landscaping chips and hauls away branches and trimmings, clears debris from lawns and beds, and tidies walkways and patios. We can also provide junk haul-off for bulky outdoor items like broken planters or worn patio pieces so entries stay clear. To prevent winter slips, we edge paths, reset lifted pavers where feasible, and recommend plant-safe traction options over harsh salts that can damage concrete and turf.

Why Prune Before Spring Winds Arrive

Wichita Falls can see quick shifts from calm to gusty. Late-winter deadwood removal and weight reduction lower the chance of limb failures during March fronts. Improved airflow reduces leaf disease when humidity rises, and balanced structure helps young trees grow straighter and stronger, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Choose Greenwood Landscaping for Expert, Local Tree Care

Our family-owned, insured team pairs ISA-informed practices with deep local experience. From pruning and thinning to crown reduction, deadwood removal, and storm damage cleanup, we deliver precise results and dependable service across Wichita Falls, Electra, Henrietta, Archer City, Lakeside City, Scotland, Dean, Kamay, Petrolia, and Bellevue.

Make your trees safer and healthier this season. Schedule your late winter tree pruning with Greenwood Landscaping at greenwoodlandscaping.net. We’ll evaluate species, set a plan, and handle pruning, cleanup, and haul-off—so your landscape is ready for spring growth and North Texas weather."