Why Winter Is a Great Time for Pruning Trees

You’re probably not thinking about your trees much now that winter is here and the leaves have all fallen. Believe it or not, now would be the time to consider tree trimming. Pruning is best done in the winter.

Read below to find out the benefits of tree pruning in winter months.

Beating the Pests

Many of the pests and diseases that might infect trees through pruning cuts are also dormant throughout the winter. This makes winter pruning ideal.

However, for certain trees, winter is the only season to think about pruning. Oaks are a good example since they are particularly vulnerable to insect infestations and oak wilt, a fungal disease that may be quite damaging.

Trees Do Get Stressed

Pruning during the active growing season can put your trees under stress. It can also stimulate new growth that won’t be able to harden before the weather cools.

During the winter, trees go dormant, making it the ideal time to do dormant pruning. Trees may heal more quickly because they have larger energy stores.

Increase the Trees Yield

Pruning when the tree’s leaves have all fallen off makes it easy to see the optimum spots to prune to keep the tree’s structural integrity.

It also makes vulnerable areas, such as broken or diseased branches, easier to notice. This improves the efficiency of your trimming, resulting in a healthier tree and reduced danger.

Tree Pruning in Winter Makes Your Property Prettier

Winter tree maintenance and pruning allow you to shape your trees so that they grow in the best way possible for your property, whether it’s to prevent interfering with structures or walkways, or to promote or restrain growth. Pruning your trees in the winter is also beneficial to nearby plant material, as most of it is dormant and hence less likely to be disturbed.

Additionally, because the ground is firmer, there is less possibility of equipment creating soil compaction.

Improves Tree Safety

In the winter, trees that are damaged, dead, or dying can be dangerous, especially when we have storms that bring wind, ice, or snow. Dormant pruning is done to remove any potential problems before the trees endanger the safety of your home and family. It also rejuvenates weaker trees by removing dead and diseased wood, making them safer.

Is Winter the Only Season to Prune Trees?

No, you can still prune and cut back trees in Spring and Summer, although there are often different reasons for pruning.

Here are a few warm weather pruning benefits.

• Removing deadwood that is difficult to identify in the winter (on some tree species, it is difficult to tell if a limb is dead until the emergence from tree dormancy)
• Improving the tree’s overall appearance once it has leafed out
• Improve air circulation and to allow more light into the interior, open up the tree
• Cutting back shrubs and trees that have grown too large or are in the way

Some underlying flaws are not visible or cannot be noticed until the tree has fully leafed out, while other concerns emerge as the tree grows. Branches and trees that are dead, damaged, or sick should, of course, be removed as soon as possible, regardless of the season.

Get Cutting!

If you are apprehensive of tree pruning in winter months, take it slowly or call in the services of a professional tree surgeon. Contact us today to request a tree services estimate for your property!