diff --git a/Documentation/process/maintainer-tip.rst b/Documentation/process/maintainer-tip.rst
index 497bb39727c8..64739968afa6 100644
--- a/Documentation/process/maintainer-tip.rst
+++ b/Documentation/process/maintainer-tip.rst
@@ -409,20 +409,20 @@ See :ref:`resend_reminders`.
 Merge window
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
-Please do not expect large patch series to be handled during the merge
-window or even during the week before.  Such patches should be submitted in
-mergeable state *at* *least* a week before the merge window opens.
-Exceptions are made for bug fixes and *sometimes* for small standalone
-drivers for new hardware or minimally invasive patches for hardware
-enablement.
+Please do not expect patches to be reviewed or merged by tip
+maintainers around or during the merge window.  The trees are closed
+to all but urgent fixes during this time.  They reopen once the merge
+window closes and a new -rc1 kernel has been released.
+
+Large series should be submitted in mergeable state *at* *least* a week
+before the merge window opens.  Exceptions are made for bug fixes and
+*sometimes* for small standalone drivers for new hardware or minimally
+invasive patches for hardware enablement.
 
 During the merge window, the maintainers instead focus on following the
 upstream changes, fixing merge window fallout, collecting bug fixes, and
 allowing themselves a breath. Please respect that.
 
-The release candidate -rc1 is the starting point for new patches to be
-applied which are targeted for the next merge window.
-
 So called _urgent_ branches will be merged into mainline during the
 stabilization phase of each release.