Building Better Branches, Season After Season

Winter may seem like a quiet time in the nursery, but for our team at Fox Ridge, it’s actually one of the busiest and most important seasons for tree care. Winter pruning is a cornerstone of our nursery production, and it plays a critical role in ensuring healthy, well-structured trees for our customers.



Pruning in winter is less stressful for the tree, since its energy is stored in the roots. With pests and diseases largely inactive during the cold months, we can make clean, precise cuts without worrying about spreading pathogens or attracting insects that thrive on stressed trees. Additionally, with most leaves gone, we have a clear view of each tree’s structure, allowing us to ensure balanced branching, proper spacing, and a strong central leader, all qualities we pride ourselves on across every variety we grow.

Our pruning schedule is extensive. Some varieties receive up to three prunes per year, depending on growth rates. The goal is uniformity: whether you’re looking at a field of Maples, Honeylocust, or any other variety, we want each tree to have consistent branching, height, and overall appearance. Achieving this level of consistency means that our customers can trust that the trees they receive will meet their expectations and arrive ready to thrive.

Winter is ideal for the larger pruning tasks, such as limbing up or corrective cuts. During the summer, we focus more on shaping and refining growth, but winter is when the heavy structural work happens.

Our pruning calendar is carefully planned by species. Honeylocust and maples are pruned in late fall, taking advantage of early dormancy. Honeylocust are one of the first varieties to go dormant, and maples are best pruned soon after dormancy sets in to prevent sap leakage over the winter. Once the cold season is fully underway, we move on to all of our our one-year crops, including Aspen, Linden, Buckeye, and Kentucky Coffee Tree. Two-year Crabapple varieties and one to three year Elms follow, with Linden and remaining Oak varieties receiving attention in late winter or early spring.



Winter pruning is more than a task, it’s a promise. By carefully shaping and preparing our trees during dormancy, we help ensure that every tree is healthy, strong, and ready for the growing season ahead. It’s our way of delivering consistent quality, building trust, and setting both our trees and our customers up for success.