Experienced gardeners confidently state that spring pruning is only called spring, but it can be carried out in February.
The reason is that by delaying until the calendar spring or even worse – warming, you can only harm the garden. The reasons are in the beginning of sap flow and pest activity.
When to start pruning
Tree pruning can be done after the air temperature has been stable at 5-6 degrees below zero. It is done according to all the rules - with sterile tools and with mandatory treatment of the cut areas.
What are the advantages of this method?
The risk of introducing fungal spores and other infections into the resulting wounds is minimal, the risk of damaging the fruit due to the beginning of the movement of the juice is lower, but most importantly, the pests are still asleep at this time.
At this time, it is imperative to cut and remove all branches with mummified fruits, which serve as a wintering place for most parasites.
The same fate should befall the branches and shoots where the leaves are preserved in the web - hawthorns most likely spend the winter here.
All such formations are removed with pruning shears, unless there is a need to remove the entire branch.
If you miss this moment, you can be sure that with the first warmth of spring, the pests will wake up and damage the buds; moreover, such formations are often a breeding ground for diseases.
