It may seem strange to trim trees in the cold, when there are no leaves on the branches. But the practice of Winter pruning can actually make your trees happier and healthier!
Here are six reasons we recommend getting in the habit of having your trees professionally pruned in the winter months:
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Less stress
Pruning in the Spring and Summer (active growing season) can be stressful for your trees and stimulate growth that won’t have time to harden before cold Fall temperatures.
Trees go dormant in the Winter, which is why December, January and February are ideal times to prune. With their extra Winter energy reserves, trees heal quicker from trimming wounds.
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Better results
Without leaves, the professional trimming your trees can more easily see where the tree needs trimming to maintain its structural integrity.
We can not only determine with more accuracy where to make cuts, we can also spot vulnerable areas–like damaged or diseased branches–more readily. This gives a better result that promotes tree health at lower risk.
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Less pest and disease exposure
The cuts made by trimming leaves trees vulnerable to pests and diseases. When you trim in the Winter, there is less chance of infection, because the pests and diseases are dormant, just like the trees.
This alone is a great reason to prune in the cold months. Oaks, which are particularly susceptible to beetle infestations and oak wilt, are protected with cold-weather pruning.
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A better look
Winter pruning shapes your trees accurately so they will grow into the desired aesthetics for your landscape:
- to avoid interfering with buildings, yard art or paths
- to promote or inhibit growth
You will also be less likely to disturb nearby plants when you prune in the Winter. And, there is less risk of pruning equipment causing soil compaction with the firmer Winter ground. Cherry pickers can be positioned more easily in the cold, and we can move more easily from branch to branch.
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Faster work
Because the tree crew members can position equipment more easily, better see what they are doing, and move more quickly between branches, the work usually goes faster than when we trim in the warmer months.
Plus, there is less demand for our services, so you will be able to book a trimming sooner in the Winter.
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A safer landscape
Falling limbs and trees are some of the biggest dangers caused by severe winter weather. Winter pruning removes the danger of a weak tree damaging your home or property, or your neighbor’s.
Removing potentially hazardous branches in the Winter, when pruning is easiest, provides peace of mind to homeowners.
The Winter pruning will stimulate new growth, allow the tree to use its nutrients more efficiently, grow stronger, and be less susceptible to strong wind damage later in the year.
Exceptions to the Winter Rule
While we prefer Winter trimming for most species, there are some trees that don’t benefit from Winter pruning as much as others. Species that flower very early in the calendar year, such as some Dogwoods and Japanese Magnolias, often start unfurling their buds in late Winter.
Trimming this new growth is not helpful to the tree, and hamper future growth.
But for most species, trimming in the Winter just makes good sense. In Cincinnati, with the milder Winters we have had in recent years, there are many December, January and February days we can get our crews out to trim trees, even when there is snow on the ground.
With lower demand for our services, we can offer friendlier prices in the Winter as well!
