Tree Trimming: The Complete Guide to Pruning in the Winter
More than 80,000 tree care establishments in the US cover everything from trimming backyard trees to winter tree pruning. Yet, many people stop all gardening activities when temperatures drop.
But did you know that winter is the best time for tree pruning?
Even though the weather is cold outside, winter gives you time to perform structural pruning on young trees and trim away low-hanging limbs to promote healthy growth.
Keep reading to discover how to find a trustworthy tree service in Dallas and why winter is the ideal time to tend to your trees.
Why Is Tree Trimming Important?
When you have your own home, it’s easy to overlook the tree-trimming process when you have lovely trees growing on your property. But, for the trees to remain beautiful, you must look after them correctly.
Thankfully, winter is great to focus on tree removal and preparing for tree pruning. So, what are the benefits of winter pruning? And is it worth it?
Reduce the Risk of Diseases
One of the main benefits of winter pruning is that it reduces the risk of diseases. The last thing you want is your amazing tree to be infected with a sickness like oak wilt.
Winter is good for trimming as bacteria, fungi, and airborne pathogens are less active. When you prune the trees, you encourage more air circulation and exposure to the sun.
If you prune trees correctly, this can boost their health and ensure it remains healthy for the rest of the year. This is particularly important for young trees as they need extra protection.
You can carry out pruning on these young trees so they can produce sturdy, strong branches in the following seasons.
The Tree Structure Is More Visible
Winter is also the best time to examine the structure of a tree, as there are no leaves on the branches. So, if you notice any cross, overreaching, or low-hanging limbs, you can correct this during this season.
If you work with a professional arborist, they can also identify dead branches and remove them when necessary.
Not only will winter pruning benefit the health of your trees, but it also provides a better aesthetic to your garden. Think of tree pruning like going to the hairdresser.
You don’t want to have an out-of-control, messy garden. So, tree pruning will ensure that your garden looks tidy and neat for spring and summer.
Prevents Damage to the Rest of Your Garden
Often, homeowners are reluctant to hire a tree service in Dallas when the weather is nice and warm, as the garden work can damage the blooming flowers and plants.
But, if you don’t care for your trees, this can lead to safety issues for people walking around your property. For instance, if you have several dead or overgrown branches, they could fall off and injure a walker.
That’s why it’s important to address these safety concerns in winter when there will be less damage to your garden. This means that a trained arborist can come to your home and reach high branches.
Sometimes, a professional will bring a bucket truck that will leave a print in your soil, but it will be gone by spring. You can enjoy the rest of the year without worrying about safety concerns and branches suddenly falling.
It’s important to note that you should avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs in winter, as this could prevent them from blooming in the future.
Winter Pruning Tips
When you decide to prune your trees in winter, it’s good to know a few tips to help you get started. For example, waiting until winter before you start pruning is better.
Ideally, you should carry out tree pruning when the weather is dry and mild. Otherwise, if you prune during rainy days, it could spread waterborne plant diseases and put your trees at risk.
Although, freezing temperatures can also damage the structure and health of your trees. So, monitor the weather forecast carefully and pick a day when the temperature is mild, and there’s no rain.
The first task is to remove dead, broken, or diseased branches. This is the same for all kinds of trees, such as evergreens and deciduous varieties. You can also remove branches that rub against each other.
It can be confusing learning about tree pruning, especially if you’ve never done it before, so if you feel overwhelmed, you should hire a professional tree service.
Advantages of Hiring a Tree Service
Handling trees is not as easy as it looks; you need to cut in the right places, use the correct tools, and identify dead branches on different tree structures.
But most of us don’t know where to begin when pruning trees.
So, working with a professional will ensure your tree is in the best health and decrease safety risks. In winter, the weather conditions can be dangerous, with ice and frost building up on the ground.
Luckily, a professional tree service has years of experience pruning trees in all weather conditions. They will have the equipment to safely trim your trees and boost the health of your garden.
You can also use tree services for other jobs like stump grinding and cable installation. Instead of worrying about how to take care of your trees in winter, leave it to the professionals.
Your trees will be transformed and look fantastic!
Hire a Tree Service in Dallas This Winter
Depending on the size of your trees, you might have large, tall branches that require professional equipment to trim. But, even if you only have a few shrubs and evergreens, it’s still important to prune them correctly.
Hiring a tree service in Dallas will allow you to reduce the risk of diseases on your trees without damaging your garden. There’s no better time of the year than when the branches are clear, and there’s more free time.
Get in contact with our team to book your winter pruning this year.
You can find all our services and information on our website here.