A Time for Pruning

In the traditional Japanese 72-microseason calendar, this period is known as "East Wind Melts the Ice" (東風解凍), a time when the first hints of warmth signal the slow thawing of winter’s grip. Here on the Gulf Coast, however, winter's presence was fleeting. The unprecedented snow, a rare and brief visitor, melted away within days, leaving only the memory of frost-laden branches and the crunch of ice underfoot.

Though the snow has gone, another seasonal shift is taking place: one that calls for action rather than observation. Now is the perfect time for pruning. Before the trees awaken and spring’s momentum becomes unstoppable, this is the moment to shape, strengthen, and prepare.

Recently, I attended a pruning workshop, a timely reminder that good pruning is both science and art. I learned how to identify the branch collar, that subtle swelling where a branch meets the trunk, and why cutting just outside this area promotes proper healing. The angle of the cut is just as important; tilted just right to shed water and prevent rot. We also examined trees for signs of disease, crossing branches, and weak attachments, understanding how a few well-placed cuts can set a tree up for decades of healthy growth.

The Gulf Coast’s mild winters mean that the dormant season is short-lived. Soon, the trees will respond to the warming days, buds will swell, and spring will be in full, unapologetic motion. But for now, in this quiet in-between, there’s still time to make deliberate cuts, guiding the season ahead with careful hands.

But does "East Wind Melts the Ice" really describe our experience here? The snow came and went, and while ice may have briefly formed, it was hardly a lingering force. Instead, this moment feels more like a turning of the page, a pause between extremes, a time to clear away the old before the rush of new growth.

What would you call this season? What name feels right for this moment where you are? Let me know in the comments!