Fall/Winter 2016

Advantages Of Winter Pruning

When spring comes, we think of all the things we should do in the garden, such as pruning. But winter can be a better time to prune for several reasons.

Pruning in winter is like working with an x-ray.

In winter, deciduous trees have cast off their coverings, giving us a much better view of their structure. We get a clear picture of the entire tree, allowing us to identify weak, cracked and crossing branches as well as dead wood. Winter is also the ideal time to uncover and address the structural flaws that can eventually lead to branch or tree failures. This is not so obvious to an untrained eye, but it is second nature for our arborists and climbers to spot dead branches and structural flaws.

Winter storms can be dangerous pruners.

High winds and wet snow put tremendous strain on branches. Broken branches should be professionally pruned so that the cut can be in the right place to promote the natural healing process that trees employ. We recommend that you identify and remove dead or cracked branches before winter does its own pruning, which can be dangerous for property, people, and the tree.

Pruning is easier when the ground is frozen.

A tree care professional can typically move equipment closer to the trees they are working on without harming lawns or herbaceous perennials and annuals. Plus, your family will experience less inconvenience because of reduced yard usage in the winter.

It makes spring more beautiful.

By selectively pruning in winter, we can improve the saturation of flowers and fruit they have in the growing season.

If you do your own pruning, make sure you understand proper pruning techniques and use the right tools for the job. When trees require pruning of high branches or a power saw is needed, it’s time to call a professional, like Almstead, with the right tools, equipment and safety training to do the job.