There’s a common misconception in taking care of your trees that says it isn’t good to prune trees in the winter. Some people even believe that tree pruning companies do not operate in the winter. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When trees go dormant in the winter, it’s a great time for pruning and trimming. Here’s why.
See Tree Structure in the Winter
Deciduous trees hide their branches with leaves. A tree may appear full of leaves in the summer, but you really can’t see the structure of the tree until the leaves fall off. Arborists use the dormant season to see trees at their most basic to determine what needs to be done to create a strong tree that grows in the direction needed. Winter is the perfect season to use the bare bones structure of a tree to shape it for your landscape.
Winter Tree Pruning Puts Less Stress on the Tree
During the spring and summer season, trees work hard to grow and produce fruit or leaves. Trees use a lot of energy to transform sunlight into food during photosynthesis. When you prune trees in the growing season, you stimulate new growth, which takes even more energy. Pruning when the tree is dormant, reduces the stress on the tree.
Winter Protects Trees From Disease and Pests
Whenever you cut into a tree, it makes the tree vulnerable to infection or infestation. It’s just like a wound on your hand. Pests and germs can enter the tree through these cuts. During the colder months, bacteria, fungi and insects are also dormant, which limits the exposure to the tree. You can prune out diseased or dead branches without spreading the damage.
Tree Pruning in the Winter Increases Efficiency
During the winter, when the leaves aren’t on the branches, it can be easier to see which branches need to be trimmed. The tree trimmer can see where the best places are to trim the tree, whether you’re pulling dead branches out or trimming the tree canopy for sunlight penetration. Winter pruning is also more efficient for your landscape, because you won’t be worried about heavy equipment damaging grass or other plants when the ground is snow-covered.
Winter Pruning Makes Your Trees Look Better in the Spring
The dormant season is a great time to prune back overgrown shrubs and trees because the branches will recover in the spring as the new growth starts. One thing to note is that not every bush, shrub or tree should be pruned in the winter. It’s always good to work with a professional tree service to make sure that you’re not pruning away flower buds on early spring-blooming plants. But pruning the right trees in winter can help you shape them for spring growth to make your landscape even more stunning.
Winter Tree Pruning Eases Your Spring Chores
Pruning trees during the colder months lets you focus on that job when it’s cold. As the temperatures warm-up, you’ll have other outside tasks that you’ll need to do to get your landscape ready for summer. You can improve the look of your trees and protect your property when you prune trees in the winter. When your tree is healthy and free from diseased branches, it can put all its energy into producing more healthy branches for increased growth in the spring.
Tree trimming and pruning can be hazardous when the weather is nice, so pruning in the winter may be more inconvenient because the ground isn’t as safe. If you need tree service, contact a professional arborist who has the tools to stay safe and the knowledge to do it right. For professional tree service in Kitchener, contact Martin’s Tree Service.
Steve Martin
