Three shrubs that you should never prune in the fall
Created: 10/12/2022, 4:00 p.m
By: Andrea Stettner
In autumn, many hobby gardeners use the pruning shears before the hibernation comes.
But not every tree can tolerate pruning at this time of year.
Before winter sets in, many want to get their garden in shape again.
This also includes a small pruning of some perennials, trees and other shrubs.
However, you should keep your hands off certain specimens in autumn - it could do them more harm than good.
Evergreen trees like the cherry laurel should not be cut in the fall.
(Iconic image) © CHROMORANGE/Imago
1. Cherry laurel
One of the most popular hedge plants in recent years is undoubtedly the cherry laurel, also known as the laurel cherry.
However, you should never dare to cut back in autumn, no matter how rampant it may be.
This also applies to other evergreen deciduous trees such as boxwood or holly.
Their leaves act like a protective shield for the shoots inside the plants.
If the outer leaves are cut off, the inner tender shoots are at risk of sunburn on sunny days, while frost attacks them on freezing cold days.
You should therefore not start pruning individual branches again until February.
End of June to July is the best time for a proper pruning.
2. Stone fruit trees
For many trees, pruning back in the fall is an absolute no-go.
These include above all stone fruit trees such as cherries, plums or mirabelle plums.
The reason: the cuts from stone fruit trees heal very slowly, which is exacerbated by the onset of hibernation.
This makes it easier for pathogens to penetrate through the unprotected cut.
According to the
My Beautiful Garden
portal , rotting, dying branches, a bacterial fire and resinous areas can be the result.
Stone fruit trees should therefore only be pruned in summer, immediately after the harvest, when the trees are still full of sap and cuts heal faster.
Autumn in the garden: the ten most beautiful plants in yellow, orange and red
View photo gallery
3. Blackberries
Like the leaves of the evergreen deciduous trees, the outer tendrils of the blackberry also perfectly shield the interior from the sun and other weather influences.
In addition, the rods are extremely sensitive to cutting - the outer bark can easily burst open due to the sun's rays on cold winter days and then open the floodgates to pathogens.
With a cut in autumn you would unnecessarily burden both the inner shoots and the outer tendrils.
Ideally, you should perform blackberry maintenance pruning in early spring.