2026-Feb-10
Why Winter Pruning is Your Secret Weapon for Wildfire Resilience
Removing low-lying branches from your trees is a powerful way you can help minimize the spread of wildfires–but did you know that late winter is the best time to prune?
Why winter?
- Less Stress: with trees in a dormant state, pruning is far less taxing on the tree’s health
- No Pests: cold weather means minimal risk of insect infestation and disease
- Clear View: without thick foliage in the way, it’s easier to see what needs to go
The 2-Metre Rule
The 2-Metre Rule is one of the most effective ways to protect your property: simply prune all live and dead branches from the ground up to a height of two metres. By removing these low-lying “ladder fuels,” you prevent ground fires from climbing into the treetops where they become much harder to control.
So if you’re looking to spend some time outside this winter, consider cleaning up your conifers. This simple winter task does more than just promote healthy tree growth; it creates a vital defensible space, significantly increasing your property’s resilience against wildfires this summer!
Cottage Life has some tips on winter pruning here and you can learn more about making your property wildfire resilient here.