3 Compelling Reasons to Have Your Trees Trimmed Before Spring Arrives
When the snow starts falling and the temperature drops, you might assume that yard work is finished for the year, with the exception of maybe shoveling some snow. However, wintertime is actually ideal for trimming some kinds of trees, like apple trees, pear trees, and hawthorns. If you’re not sure whether or not your trees would thrive with winter trimming, ask your arborist.
Here are three compelling reasons to have your trees trimmed before spring arrives.
1. Shape Trees More Effectively
The sweet buds and fresh green leaves that sprout in the spring can make your trees look beautiful, but unfortunately, they can also make it difficult to see the network of branches that make up the crown of your tree. However, during the winter when trees shed their leaves, arborists can see how the branches have formed, making it easy to discern which sections of the tree should be preserved and removed.
In addition to spotting branches that are headed in the wrong direction, arborists who trim trees during winter can also inspect the condition of the bark and branches more effectively. Because the view to the top of the tree is unencumbered, professionals can spot issues that could lead to tree health problems in the long run, such as weather-related damage and pest infestations.
Arborists can also easily spot additions like bird’s nests during the winter, making it easy to avoid disrupting wildlife.
However, one of the biggest advantages of working with barren trees is the fact that arborists can see the tree’s underlying profile more easily, so they can prune the branches to improve the aesthetics of the plant. In addition to evaluating the shape of the tree before trimming, arborists can carefully trim away overgrowth to pave the way for healthy future growth, improving flowering in the spring.
2. Prevent Plant Injury
During the winter, the low temperatures and naturally drier air help to create more sterile conditions outside, making it the perfect time to trim trees. When a tree is pruned, a small injury is created where the branch was. For a time, this spot is at a higher risk to issues like plant disease and pest infestation.
However, during the winter, both the tree and a long list of pests, molds, and fungal colonies become dormant, making the tree less likely to suffer permanent damage. Plants trimmed during winter are also less likely to develop plant-specific diseases, such as oak wilt disease, which impacts the vascular systems of the tree and lead to widespread dehydration.
As an added bonus, because arborists don’t have to worry as much about preventing the spread of plant disease, pruning tends to be faster and easier for professionals. Instead of sanitizing saws and shears, experts can quickly and efficiently lop off overgrown or damaged branches without fear of future problems.
3. Protect Your Property from Falling Branches
When tree branches are alive and healthy, they have functional vascular paths through which water and nutrients move throughout the tree. Unfortunately, when branches are damaged from physical trauma or disease, limbs become dry, brittle, and much more likely to break.
This problem is compounded by the fact that snow can be exceptionally heavy, depending on its moisture content. In fact, snow can weigh as much as 20 pounds per cubic foot, which is why tree branch property damage is more common during the winter months.
By having your trees trimmed during winter, you can protect your roof, your parked cars, and even your children from being injured by falling branches laden with heavy snow.
If your trees are overgrown and need a little attention, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team here at Ross Tree Company. With a commitment to customer service, our arborists have been helping our customers with tree trimming, tree removal, and s