All woody plants benefit from annual pruning to control their size and correct their shape. Spring-flowering shrubs and trees, like forsythia, magnolia, and cherry, form their flower buds in the late summer or early fall before they go dormant. Generally, pruning would take place after these plants have finished blooming so as not to remove the flower buds and sacrifice the flowers. If, however, you would like branches for indoor winter forcing, you may attend to the pruning of these plants in winter and enjoy earlier blooms indoors without harming the tree or shrub.

• Prune on a sunny winter’s day when temperatures are above freezing. 

• Use only clean, sharp pruners and proper pruning techniques.

• Prune out all damaged, crossed, or unwanted branches.

• Do not shear the plant, or you will hinder all outdoor blooms this spring.

• If pruning predominantly for forcing, selectively take your cuttings from various sections of the plant, not just one area, to avoid mutilating the plant. 

• From the clippings, select branches that are less than ½ inch in diameter, at least 1 foot long, and are loaded with plenty of plump flower buds. 

Pruned January Through Early February:
Flowering Almond, Forsythia, Fothergilla, Pussy Willow, & Quince 

Pruned Mid - through Late February:
Azalea, Lilac, Magnolia, Mock Orange, & Spring Viburnum

Pruned January through Early February:
Pear, Cherry, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Serviceberry, & Witch Hazels

Pruned Mid - through Late February:
Apple, Crabapple, Eastern Redbud, Magnolia, & Red maple

• From pruned pieces, select branches for forcing.

• Remove all buds that will be below the water line in the vase.

• Run hot water from the tap.

• Holding stems under the hot water, make a sharp angled cut at least one inch above the original cut. Or, if the branch is on the thicker side, make an inch-long cut through the center of the stem.

• Immediately place cut stems in a vase containing fresh water and floral preservative.

• Arrange stems or store them in a cool environment, 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, for arranging later. 

Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Place the plant in the bottom, so the stem is centered and the crown slightly above the hole's rim. If the root ball is burlap wrapped, cut away the top wrapping to free the trunk or main stem. Fill with equal parts of Quoddy Blend™ and soil, tamping around the plant. Water thoroughly and regularly until the plant is established.