Proper pruning and protection of shrubs and trees will help them survive the winter months, and will lead to healthy growth come spring.
Step 5: Carefully prune rose bushes. For rose bushes, first cut away dead wood. Then, remove thin branches that compete with the healthy branches. Choose 4 or 6 of the healthy branches, and shorten them by about one-third to one-half of their total height. To further protect a rose bush, clear away debris from under the bush and spread mulch or hay around the base, piled at least a foot high. Never spread before November, as rose bushes need exposure to cool temperatures to build hardiness. Cut away the thin branches on a rose bush.
