We have a Nory Halo Dogwood that we haven't pruned for several seasons. It is out of control now and has some insects eating it. and I would like to prune some of it now and not wait until winter. Will it hurt it? We also leave for the winter Dec. through Early April so when would be the best time to prune in the future?

to NGA

Do you mean Ivory Halo Dogwood? Can you tell us where the tree is located? If you leave for the winter, it must be cold there. I would wait until as late before you leave as possible and then prune away. The problem with fall pruning is that if there is another warm spell before winter actually sets in, the tree will react to that prune job with a lot of new growth and then freeze. It could kill the tree. By December or late November, the tree will be going dormant and won't put out that flush of new growth. The other option, of course, is to wait until April.