Dormant Tree Pruning Services in Victoria, BC - Winter Pruning

Dormant pruning is one of the most valuable and overlooked services in landscape care. Done properly during late fall and winter, dormant pruning sets trees, shrubs, hedges, and fruiting plants up for healthier growth, better shape, and stronger performance in the coming year.

At Ascent Yard Care, we specialize in expert dormant pruning across Greater Victoria, including Saanich, Oak Bay, the Westshore, and North Saanich. Whether you’re managing a single ornamental tree or an entire garden, our ISA-certified team will prune with purpose—safely, strategically, and with long-term results in mind.

What Is Dormant Pruning?

Dormant pruning is the removal or reduction of select plant material—branches, stems, suckers, or deadwood—while the plant is in its dormant phase, typically between late November and early March.

Unlike summer or in-season pruning, dormant pruning is:

• Less stressful to plants
• Highly visible (no foliage blocks structure)
• Better for plant healing and shape control
• Crucial for timing fruit production in orchard trees
• Essential for preventing disease spread in trees and shrubs

What We Prune During Dormancy

1. Ornamental Trees

We reshape and reduce ornamental trees to:

• Open up dense crowns for airflow and light
• Remove structurally unsound limbs
• Improve clearance from buildings, sidewalks, and gardens
• Prepare the tree for healthy, clean spring growth

Common trees pruned during dormancy:

• Maple, birch, linden, locust, catalpa, beech, flowering cherry, crabapple

2. Fruit Trees

Fruit trees require dormant pruning for optimal productivity. We:

• Remove water sprouts and suckers
• Stimulate new fruiting wood
• Improve light penetration to ripen fruit
• Shape trees for strength and manageable harvest height

Common species:

• Apple, pear, plum, cherry, fig, nectarine, peach

3. Flowering Shrubs

Winter is the perfect time to rejuvenate tired, woody shrubs. We:

• Remove old stems to promote new shoots
• Reduce size while preserving structure
• Improve flowering in spring/summer

Examples include:

• Lilac, spirea, forsythia, hydrangea (paniculata), viburnum

4. Hedges and Screens

Dormant hedge reduction or restoration gives:

• Better control over size and shape
• Strong regrowth structure in spring
• More light and air to the understory and surrounding yard

Common hedges:

• Cedar, laurel, yew, boxwood, photinia, privet

5. Vines and Climbers

We prune back grapevines, wisteria, honeysuckle, and clematis for:

• Stronger flowering
• Better growth control
• Reduced structural damage from overgrowth

Benefits of Dormant Pruning

• Improves plant health by removing diseased or deadwood
• Reduces risk of fungal and bacterial infection
• Encourages vigorous spring growth
• Prevents structural failures in trees and large shrubs
• Controls size and preserves design intent in gardens
• Optimizes fruit and flower production

Plus, it’s quieter, cleaner, and easier to schedule during the off-season.

Why Choose Ascent Yard Care?

• ISA-certified arborists with deep knowledge of pruning science
• Over 130+ 5-star reviews from Victoria clients
• Trusted for both fine ornamental and large tree work
• Optional use of electric equipment for quiet service
• Fully insured, clean, and respectful crews
• Detailed estimates and no deposit required

We don’t just cut—we shape, restore, and prepare your landscape to perform.

Book Dormant Pruning Before Spring Arrives

Dormant pruning must be done between late November and early March—before buds swell and sap starts to flow. Waiting too long can harm plants or miss your window for structural improvement.

Contact Ascent Yard Care today for a free, no-pressure on-site quote.

Let us restore beauty, balance, and health to your landscape—root to crown.