I Spent Many Late Fall Days Pruning — And Here Are 7 Trees I Recommend Trimming in November as They Enter Dormancy

  

7 Trees You Should Prune in November: Expert Late-Fall Pruning Tips for Healthier Growth

Discover the 7 best trees to prune in November as they enter dormancy. Learn expert pruning tips to promote healthy growth, prevent disease, and prepare your garden for spring.

• Trees to prune in November
• Late fall pruning guide
• Dormant season tree care
• What trees to trim before winter
• Pruning tips for healthy trees

I Spent Many Late Fall Days Pruning — And Here Are 7 Trees I Recommend Trimming in November as They Enter Dormancy

Late fall brings calm to the garden. The air is crisp, the days grow shorter, and nature prepares to rest. For many gardeners, it’s the perfect time to grab the pruning shears. After years of tending fruit trees and ornamentals, I’ve learned that November pruning, when trees enter dormancy, is one of the best ways to ensure a strong start in spring.

When done correctly, late-fall pruning promotes healthy growth, improves shape, and prevents disease. The key is knowing which trees benefit most from a November trim. Below are seven tried-and-true species I recommend pruning this month — along with professional tips for success.

🌳 1. Apple Trees (Malus domestica)

Apple trees thrive with a November pruning once their leaves have fallen. With the structure exposed, it’s easy to spot problem areas.

What to prune:

• Dead or diseased branches
• Crossing limbs
• Water sprouts and suckers

This improves air circulation and light penetration, boosting next year’s fruit yield.

Pro tip: Shape your apple tree like an open goblet — sunlight should reach every branch for even ripening.

🌿 2. Pear Trees (Pyrus species)

Pear trees enter dormancy in late fall, making November ideal for gentle pruning. Avoid cutting too early, as it may encourage tender new shoots that won’t survive frost.

What to prune:

• Crowded interior branches
• Water sprouts
• Damaged limbs

Pro tip: Use sterilized tools between cuts to prevent bacterial diseases such as fire blight.

🌸 3. Crabapple Trees

Crabapples are stunning in spring — but only if they’re pruned smartly in fall. November trimming helps shape the tree, remove weak branches, and prevent fungal diseases like apple scab.

Pro tip: Never remove more than one-third of the canopy in a single season. Gradual pruning promotes better recovery.

🌲 4. Maple Trees (Acer species)

Maples tend to “bleed” sap if pruned in early spring. That’s why late fall is the best time to prune them.

What to prune:

• Dead or damaged branches
• Crossed or rubbing limbs
• Branches growing toward the trunk

Pro tip: Make clean cuts just outside the branch collar — this helps the wound heal naturally.

🌼 5. Dogwood Trees (Cornus species)

Dogwoods are delicate trees that benefit from light pruning once they’re dormant. November is perfect for shaping and removing dead wood before winter storms.

Pro tip: Avoid heavy pruning. Too much can reduce spring blooms and stress the tree.

🌾 6. Hawthorn Trees (Crataegus species)

Hawthorns can grow dense and thorny, trapping moisture and inviting disease. Pruning in November keeps them open, balanced, and beautiful.

What to prune:

• Crossing branches
• Water sprouts
• Base suckers

Pro tip: Wear gloves — hawthorn thorns are sharp! Also, clean tools between trees to reduce the spread of rust or blight.

🌿 7. Elm Trees (Ulmus species)

Resistant elm varieties thrive when pruned in dormancy. November pruning prevents disease spread by avoiding bark beetle activity, which peaks in warmer months.

What to prune:

• Dead, weak, or diseased branches
• Crowded canopy growth

Pro tip: Burn or dispose of infected wood — never compost it.

🧰 General Late-Fall Pruning Tips

• Wait until trees are fully dormant — usually after leaf drop.
• Use sharp, clean tools to prevent tearing bark.
• Don’t prune evergreens heavily; they recover better in early spring.
• Limit pruning to 25–30% of the canopy to avoid stress.
• Wrap young trees to protect from winter sunscald and pests.

🌱 Final Thoughts

Pruning in November is about more than tidying your garden — it’s an investment in next year’s growth. Dormant trees heal faster, disease risk is lower, and the structure you create now will reward you with stronger, more beautiful growth come spring.

After spending countless late fall afternoons pruning, I’ve learned that timing and technique make all the difference. So as your garden quiets for winter, take advantage of this season of rest — your trees will repay the effort tenfold when the world greens again.

References

• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Tree Pruning and Maintenance Calendar
• University of Wisconsin Extension: Dormant Season Pruning Benefits
• Arbor Day Foundation: When and How to Prune Trees
• American Horticultural Society: Seasonal Pruning Guidelines