Giving in to the temptation of 'tidying up' some key garden plants could cause irreparable harm, warns gardening expert Simon Eade
03:25, Tue, Jan 6, 2026
Pruning some plants right now could do lasting harm [stock image] (Image: Getty)
While many of us might still be sitting indoors, perhaps eating the last slice of Christmas cake, some plucky gardeners will be outside in the snow and ice, pruning trees and shrubs in hope of encouraging a spectacular show of growth when the spring eventually comes.
But gardening expert Simon Eade warns that pruning many species of plant now can cause long-term damage. “January is the perfect time to make any of those remedial cuts on your apple trees and pear trees,” he says.
“But that is where it stops when it comes to fruiting trees because January is the absolute worst time, to be cutting any of your stone fruit trees.”
Speaking on his Walking Talking Gardeners YouTube channel, Simon explains that pruning trees that bear stone fruits – such as plums, cherries and, if you’re lucky enough to live in warmer climes peaches – will expose them to diseases that cause stunted growth, poor crops and, in some cases, death of the tree altogether.
He stresses: “The time to cut all of these stone fruit trees is going to be in the middle of summer on the hottest, driest day.”
Cherry trees could suffer from pruning at this time of year [stock image] (Image: Getty)
Cutting back stone fruit trees now, Simon says, exposes them to the risk of two very serious diseases; bacterial canker and silver leaf, both of which are very hard to eradicate once they have taken hold.
Another type of plant that can be seriously harmed by early pruning, Simon says, is the ornamental bark willows and dogwoods. He says that, despite their attractiveness, when these plants are growing in parks and public spaces they are often hacked back at this time of year as a cost-cutting measure.
“These are absolutely stunning displays if you plant them right and maintain them right,” Simon says. “Don’t be just cutting them willy-nilly because it's convenient to you. Leave them alone.”
Mahonias are one of the few exceptions to Simon's rule [stock image] (Image: Getty)
The next group of plants that should definitely not be cut in the dead of winter, Simon advises, are the evergreens: “They don't have the energy reserves that you get with deciduous plants,” he says.
“If you cut them now, it tends to weaken them a bit in the spring. And if you do get a mild period and you get some fresh growth, it's all going to be cut back anyway by a late frost. So don't do that!”
The sole exception to that rule, Simon adds, is Mahonia: “If your Mahonias have finished flowering and your plant looks untidy, then in order to ensure you get flowers next year, then you do need to cut these immediately after flowering, which is about now. So, I will allow that one. But the rest of them, leave them all alone.”
Don't prune roses in January, Simon says [stock image] (Image: Getty)
Roses, too, should be left untouched in January, Simon advises, because both rambling roses and shrub roses flower on the previous season's wood. He continues: “If you cut these and you're removing the wood that would produce this season's display, be really careful, it's very bad for your garden's health.”
The final group of plants that should definitely be left alone, says Simon, includes a couple of herbs that you might be tempted to snip just to perk up your Sunday roast.
Woody Mediterranean shrubs, such as rosemary and thyme, can be severely damaged if they’re cut at this time of year: “Any cuts you make now, that fresh wood can become damaged by frost, and that can cause dieback into the plant.
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In the worst case scenario,” he adds, “you can kill these plants off – come the spring. They won't recover from it.”
Those herbs, as well as that garden favourite lavender, can start to look a little scruffy at this time of year but, Simon pleads: “Just resist the temptation to cut them.”