Warming to winter pruning

Warming to winter pruning

Gifted gardeners do not hunker indoors in winter when they could be outdoors getting advantageous pruning done. About 30 residents gathered at the Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 8, to participate in a hands-on winter pruning workshop sponsored by the Amenia Garden Club. Expert local gardener Maryanne Snow Pitts provided guidance and encouragement.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Tips on prudent pruning and how to do it properly during the cold months were the order of the day at the Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 8, as local expert gardener Maryanne Snow-Pitts, a Wassaic resident for 23 years, shared her extensive know-how.

The pruning workshop was sponsored by the Amenia Garden Club and attracted about 30 residents of mixed experience who sought to know more about proper techniques for winter pruning of trees and bushes. The Town Hall’s grounds provided prime examples of bushes and trees needing some expert attention.

During an information session before the start of the snipping, clipping and sawing, Snow-Pitts shared advice on how to approach the work and bring about a good outcome.

“It’s best to avoid hacking at plants badly,” Snow-Pitts advised. “When your pruner is sharp — and clean — it’s the best time to prune,” she added.

Observing the optimal shape of the tree or bush and how the plant is growing, whether reaching horizontally toward sun, for example, are important considerations, Snow-Pitts said. She focused also on how to prune prior mistakes, such as steady pruning of the branch tips, a debilitating action that will eventually deprive the core of the plant of sunlight.

“Don’t prune more than one-third of live wood at a time,” she cautioned, favoring diversity in cuts that will create branches of varying lengths. She advised identifying and removing dead wood first and taking out the larger old canes to promote new, healthier growth.

Latest News

Governor Hochul implements temporary statewide burn ban

The LED sign in front of Amenia's Town Hall on Route 22 warns passing motorists of the current temporary burn ban, in effect from Oct. 2 to Oct. 15.

Photo by Nathan Miller

A statewide burn ban is in effect as of Thursday, Oct. 2, the New York State Governor's office announced in a press release.

The temporary ban is in effect until at least Oct. 15, and the statement released by the governor's office said the restrictions will be re-evaluated prior to the Oct. 15 deadline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 76 Sharon Rd., Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stanford’s Haunted Fortress gearing up for opening day

Volunteers were hard at work putting the finishing touches on the crucial creepy decorations for the Haunted Fortress of Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Nathan Miller

STANFORD — Greg Arent led a devoted team of volunteers on Sunday, Sept. 28, in a final push to prepare Stanford’s Haunted Fortress for opening day.

Final touches included cleaning the bottomless pit, scrubbing the pirate ship, raking the graveyard and dressing the dolls. By 2 p.m., about 20 volunteers had assembled to creepify the beloved local landmark.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Public Works Superintendent resigns, Police Chief takes the job

From left, Jim Milton, Spencer Parks and William J. Clark stand with Joseph Olenik on their first day working under him as the head of Public Works on Monday, Sept. 29.

Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Village announced a leadership change at the Highway Department on Friday following the resignation of Superintendent Peter Dellaghelfa. Police Chief Joseph Olenik will step into the role, effective immediately, officials said.

Olenik will continue to serve as Police Chief.

Keep ReadingShow less