Rowan in January: monthly care

Rowan requires very little pruning and naturally develops an attractive, open crown. The best time to prune is during dormancy, between November and February, when the tree is leafless and sap flow is minimal. Avoid pruning in late winter if temperatures are still likely to drop sharply, as fresh cuts can be vulnerable to frost damage. Never prune in spring or summer when the tree is in active growth, as rowans can bleed sap heavily and this stresses the tree and invites disease. Use clean, sharp secateurs for twigs and small branches up to about 2 cm diameter, and a pruning saw for anything larger. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood, cutting back to healthy tissue just above a bud or lateral branch. Next, take out any branches that cross or rub against each other, as these create wounds that let in infection. If two branches compete for the same space, remove the weaker or more awkwardly angled one. Rowans have a naturally balanced shape, so resist the temptation to over-prune. Remove suckers arising from the base or root system as soon as you spot them, cutting them off flush with the trunk or ground. If the crown becomes congested as the tree matures, thin out a few interior branches to improve air circulation, but take no more than one-quarter of the canopy in any single year. Always step back regularly to assess the overall shape. Young trees benefit from formative pruning in their first few winters to establish a clear central leader and well-spaced main branches, but once the framework is established, intervention should be minimal.