December Garden Jobs for Large UK Gardens

Why December Is a Working Month in Large Gardens

In a small garden, December is mostly a month for staying indoors. In a large garden, December is one of the busiest months of the year. The garden is dormant, the herbaceous growth has died down, and access to trees, hedges and structures is much easier than in summer. December is the month for winter pruning, hedge planting, fence repairs, and the planning that sets the next year up for success.

For large gardens in the Chilterns (typically 0.5 to 5 acres), December work includes: hedge cutting and renovation, tree work, bare-root planting, fence repairs, woodland management, and clearing fallen leaves from lawns and paths. The shorter days and cold weather make December work harder, but the benefits of doing it now rather than in spring are significant.

Pruning in December

December is the best month for pruning deciduous trees and shrubs while they are fully dormant.

• Apple and pear trees: prune to an open goblet shape. Remove crossing, dead and diseased branches.
• Deciduous shrubs: remove dead, diseased and crossing wood.
• Hedges: cut deciduous hedges (beech, hornbeam) now while dormant.
• Wisteria: shorten summer-pruned shoots to 2 to 3 buds.
• Vines and climbers: prune to control size.
• Native hedges: cut hawthorn and blackthorn in December if no nesting birds.

Do not prune stone fruits (plums, cherries) in winter. See our pruning guide for detail.

Planting Bare-Root in December

December is the peak bare-root planting season. Bare-root plants are dug from the field while dormant and supplied without soil. They are cheaper than pot-grown plants and establish well.

• Trees: plant bare-root trees (oak, beech, birch, rowan) for woodland, shelter belts and specimen planting.
• Hedges: plant bare-root hedges (hawthorn, blackthorn, beech, hornbeam). See our hedge planting guide.
• Shrubs: plant bare-root shrubs (dogwood, hazel, field maple).
• Roses: plant bare-root roses from November to March.

Plant bare-root plants as soon as possible after delivery. If you cannot plant immediately, heel them in (dig a temporary trench and cover the roots with soil).

Hedge Work in December

December is a good month for hedge work in large gardens. The deciduous hedges are dormant, and access is easier without the herbaceous growth in front of them.

• Cut deciduous hedges (beech, hornbeam) while dormant.
• Cut native hedges (hawthorn, blackthorn) if no nesting birds.
• Renovate overgrown hedges by laying or coppicing.
• Plant new hedges as bare-root whips.
• Remove old hedges that need replacing.

See our hedge cutting service and our hedge cutting guide for detail.

Tree Work in December

December is the best month for tree work in large gardens. Trees are dormant, the sap is down, and access is easier without leaves.

• Crown thinning and reduction of mature trees.
• Removal of dead, diseased or dangerous trees.
• Formative pruning of young trees.
• Coppicing and pollarding of suitable species (willow, hazel, lime).
• Planting new woodland and shelter belts.

Tree work requires a qualified tree surgeon with insurance. We can recommend trusted local contractors across the Chilterns.

Woodland Management in December

December is the month for woodland management in large gardens.

• Coppice hazel and sweet chestnut on a 7 to 15 year cycle.
• Thin woodland to allow remaining trees to grow.
• Remove invasive species (rhododendron ponticum, sycamore seedlings).
• Plant native woodland bulbs (bluebells, wood anemones, wild garlic).
• Clear paths and rides.
• Stack brash as habitat piles for wildlife.

Leaf Clearing in December

December is the month for final leaf clearance. Leaves left on lawns smother the grass and cause moss. Leaves on paths become slippery. Leaves in borders can be left as mulch, but diseased leaves should be removed.

• Clear leaves from lawns weekly.
• Clear leaves from paths and patios for safety.
• Compost leaves in a separate leaf mould pile. They take 1 to 2 years to break down.
• Leave some leaves in borders as habitat for overwintering insects.
• Remove diseased leaves (blackspot on roses, scab on apples) to prevent reinfection.

Structural Work in December

December is the best month for structural work in large gardens.

• Repair and replace fences. See our fencing service.
• Repair paths, patios and driveways.
• Service garden machinery (mowers, tractors, chain saws).
• Repair outbuildings, sheds and stables.
• Install new drainage if needed.
• Service irrigation systems and isolate them for winter.

Planning in December

December is the month to plan the year ahead for a large garden.

• Walk the garden with a notebook and list what needs doing.
• Plan the maintenance schedule for the year. See our maintenance service.
• Plan major projects (new borders, hard landscaping, tree work) for the year.
• Order seeds, plants and materials early to avoid the spring rush.
• Book contractors for hedge cutting, tree work and lawn renovation before they fill up.
• Review the previous year: what worked, what did not, what to change.

Common December Mistakes

• Not planting bare-root in time. Bare-root plants need to be planted by March. Order early.
• Not clearing leaves from lawns. They smother the grass and cause moss.
• Pruning stone fruits in winter. Wait until April to avoid silver leaf disease.
• Not protecting tender plants. Move tender plants to a greenhouse or wrap in fleece.
• Not booking contractors early. Good contractors fill up by February for spring work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant in December?

Yes, for bare-root trees, shrubs and hedges. Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil. Wait for a mild day.

Should I cut my hedge in December?

Yes, for deciduous hedges (beech, hornbeam). Avoid cutting evergreen hedges in winter as frost can damage the cuts.

How do I protect tender plants in December?

Move tender plants to a frost-free greenhouse. For plants in the ground, wrap with horticultural fleece and mulch the roots heavily.

Get Help with December Garden Jobs

If you need help with December garden jobs in a large garden in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.

Further Reading

• January garden jobs
• Regular maintenance for large gardens
• Best time to plant hedges

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2024-09. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.