The One Tree You Should Prune In January For Stronger, Healthier Spring Growth

Many think of gardening as a warm-season hobby, but depending on the plants in your yard, gardening can be a year-round task. For example, there are a handful of common trees you can prune in the winter so they flourish in spring. Beech trees (Fagus spp.) are a great example of this. When pruned properly in January, your beech trees will be prettier, healthier, and more resistant to pests by the time spring rolls around.

Beech trees are deciduous, meaning they drop their leaves in the fall. Technically, once this happens, you are free to start pruning. However, waiting until January, when sap production has slowed significantly, will leave your tree less vulnerable to sap-eating pests. 

Appearance-wise, beech trees boast smooth, thin bark and often get confused with birch trees (Betula spp.). If you're wondering about the difference between birch wood and beech wood trees, you'll find more similarities than differences. For example, both varieties are beloved for their beautiful canopies, which need to be pruned in a certain way to remain healthy.

When you set out to prune your beech trees in the winter, you should have two main goals: removing dead and diseased wood and thinning out the canopy. Dead and diseased branches will be easy enough to spot. When it comes to thinning the canopy, look for branches that are crisscrossed or overcrowded — the goal here is to increase airflow and light penetration to protect your spring beech tree from potential fungal diseases and wind damage. Just be sure not to overdo it — you still want a full canopy at the end of the day. If your beech tree is quite young, you can also consider pruning some of the bottom branches to encourage a more beautiful shape when it's older.

So, now that you know the importance of pruning beech trees in January, you can make it a regular part of your winter landscape care. Of course, pruning isn't the only way to encourage healthy trees. For the most success, be sure to plant your beech trees in an area with moist, well-draining soil and either full sun or partial shade.