Many of you are looking forward to spring now that winter has shown its force with several cold spells.

Keep in mind we still have several more weeks of freeze opportunities ahead, so be patient before rolling the doors open on spring planting.

Here are some things you can be doing before preparing the landscape for the yard of the month this spring and summer.

Q: What should I look for when selecting young trees to plant?

A: Good news, Feb. 8-14 is National Tree Planting week. Therefore on Arbor Day, Feb. 13, the USA service center will host its annual tree sale.

This is a great opportunity to purchase some wonderful trees for around the house or camp. This year will offer a powerful selection of trees including; live oaks, saw tooth oaks, white dogwoods, crape myrtles, red cedars, bald cypress, cherry bark oaks, ash, river birch, plums and many more.

There will also be free Loblolly Pines on a first come basis.

Along with the annual tree sale, nurseries typically begin to get their dormant tree stock in during this time. Many young dormant tree species will have no leaves on their branches now so it is important to investigate the tree to ensure it will survive when you get home and plant. Select trees with straight unscarred trunks, tight, smooth unblemished bark and a dominant shoot or leader.

You should be able to slightly bend the limbs without them snapping or breaking, if the roots are visible through the bottom of the container they should be white and healthy, black roots are not a good sign.

When planting dig the hole three to five times the diameter of the soil ball (for container plants) but no deeper than its height.

Q: Can I prune my azaleas and crape myrtles right now?

A: This is a good question because every year people want to start early and shape their shrubs for a beautiful spring lawn and landscape.

Pruning plants in the landscape will accomplish this but timing is critical. Pruning is great for limiting the size and shape of plants, removing undesirable or diseased growth, stimulating flowers or fruit production, eliminating interference with structures, enhancing visibility problems and many more beneficial purposes.

First let me say, yes, you can prune anytime of the year if you have a tree or plant that is causing problems from a growth or structural standpoint. For instance, limbs rubbing the house, branches blocking walk ways, or disease wood spreading throughout a tree is a good reason to prune at any time.

However, with a healthy plant we do need to be patient and wait for the proper timing.

Now is the time to prune plants such as crape myrtles, hibiscus, hydrangea, butterfly bush, shrub-althea, roses and forsythia.

However, you should not prune spring flowering trees and shrubs such as azaleas, camellia, spireas, Indian hawthornes, wisteria, dogwoods, redbuds or magnolias this time of the year. Spring flowering plants should be pruned in late spring after the flowering season has ended to allow for adequate growth during summer and fall to produce buds for the following year.

For plants with colorful berries, prune after the berries are gone.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extensions Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201.