Every January I wait for a frosty morning to pollard the Acer negundo Flamingo.
Without the cold weather, even in January, the sap will pour from the cut wounds, which could over time weaken the tree. The branches provide a lovely winter grey blue colour.
This is done to maintain the beautiful leaf colours, otherwise it can revert to green.
Next the rambling roses.
Do you have a cold weather must do job?
brimfields.com 
Well done. We are going under zero in the mornings at the moment. I am glad the frost keeps the trees and plants from budding prematurely but it also keeps me out of the garden! Amelia
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Definitely frosty here but aren’t the blue skies and sunshine wonderful. Nice to find jobs which ought to be done now. I like those little clumps of moss growing in the cleft of the branches.
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Yes Noelle, the moss is attractive and very appropriate for an Oriental garden.
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Actually, I just mentioned this in my post for tomorrow morning (in 10 minutes). Winter is so mild and brief that we are rushed with our winter chores, and some things just bleed.
Acer negundo is native. There is quite a bit of it right outside here. We grew three cultivars on the farm, including ‘Flamingo’, but discontinued them because we did not sell enough. It really should be pollarded for vigor.
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I mean that is should be pollarded here. It is likely more vigorous in other climates. Unfortunately, pollarding is vilified here.
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My cold weather job is curling up with a good story.
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