When is the right time to put in some pruning on the trees of your property? You may be concerned that a branch or two cut at the wrong time could do harm to the specimens you have put years into growing. Or perhaps you are looking to set your trees up for a good spring.
We at Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Company have been fielding such questions from property owners in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT since 1996. Under the direction of ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Steve Farrelly, our team has over 100 years of experience between us. Give us a call at (914) 342-7418 to discuss what your trees need.
It is a common notion that pruning is something for warmer weather. There is no doubt you can make a case for trimming in the growing season, but winter is frequently the best option. Here is why.
Trees Are Dormant in Winter
Deciduous trees will go dormant in the cold months. Growth is at a standstill, sap flow is down and the tree is at rest. To prune then is to put far less stress on it than if you were to make cuts during a period of active growth.
You are working with the tree’s natural rhythm when it is dormant. It holds its energy over the winter and puts it toward new, sound growth come spring. In most cases this yields a more robust canopy.
A Clear View of the Structure
With the leaves gone you can see what the tree really looks like. The bare structure makes for easy work. An arborist with an unobstructed view can:
- Find limbs that are dead or diseased and would have been out of sight behind the foliage
- Put his eye on any branches crossing or rubbing that are bound to be a problem later
- Judge the form and balance of the tree
- Make a clean cut without having to guess what is under the leaves
- Put in place healthy growth for the coming seasons
The job is done quicker and with greater accuracy when there is no thick canopy to get in the way.
Disease and Pests Are Less of a Concern
Insects and fungal diseases are most of a nuisance in the heat of the year. A fresh cut in the spring or summer is an open invitation for them.
Not so in the winter. With the cold, pests are not about and disease organisms are unlikely to spread. By the time things warm up they have already had a head start on mending the wound. This is of particular value for oaks and elms which are susceptible to certain ailments in the growing season.
Your Landscape Will Suffer Less
The firmness of the ground in winter is to your advantage. When the soil is hard as opposed to soft and muddy, heavy machinery and any falling wood will not put as much damage on your lawns and garden beds.
Then there are the flower beds and annuals, which are put to rest for the season, leaving little to be harmed. Your landscape is left with a clean slate for the spring.
Winter Is Not for Every Tree
Some trees are better off being pruned once they have finished blooming, such as some of the spring varieties, to avoid taking out next year’s buds. A tree in poor health or under stress calls for a different tactic.
That is where an arborist comes in. We can advise you on which of your trees should be pruned while dormant and which are best left alone.
Reasons to Put Your Trust in Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Company
There is more to pruning than meets the eye; it requires the proper skill and equipment. Our team is:
- Licensed and insured
- Over 100 years of combined experience dating back to our founding in 1996
- Guided by an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
- Backed by a fleet of 34+ service vehicles we maintain in-house
- Compliant with OSHA/ANSI standards and we hold weekly safety meetings
- Available around the clock for emergencies like storm damage
- Rated A+ by the BBB
From corporate campuses and country clubs to individual homeowners in the Lower Hudson Valley and Southwestern Connecticut, we are here to help.
If you are considering some winter pruning, now is the time to make plans. Contact Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Company at (914) 342-7418 for a no cost consultation.
