The warm, sunny days of spring and summer are behind us, and cooler days are here. Seeing the beautiful leaves from summer change color and fall off the trees is one great thing about fall, and those leaves falling is a good reminder that fall and winter are the best times of the year for tree trimming and shrub pruning. You may have heard this before and wondered why, so today we discuss why late fall and winter are the best times for trimming and pruning.
What Makes Fall and Winter the Best Times for Tree Trimming and Pruning
As everyone knows, deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, revealing all of the branches previously hidden under the foliage. Seeing the beautiful, colorful leaves fall off might make some people sad. However, bare tree branches do make the task of diagnosing issues and trimming trees much more manageable. In addition, the bare canopies of the trees make the tree structure much easier to see. As a result, arborists can more easily remove dead or vulnerable branches.
The frozen, snow-covered ground also helps arborists by allowing us to reach areas near the tree or shrubs that are usually inaccessible with our equipment. As much as we love leaves in the spring and early summer, having them out of the way makes our trimming and pruning easier. In addition, when the ground is frozen the equipment is less likely to compact the soil near the trees and shrubs.
Promoting Tree and Shrub Health
Trees and shrubs are dormant during winter, which halts growth until the following spring growing season. This inactivity means that wounds from trimming and pruning during late fall and winter will heal more quickly since the tree is not expending energy on new growth.
Another reason that fall and winter are the best times for tree trimming and shrub pruning is because disease and insect damage are less likely. Trimming and pruning during the late spring and summer can expose the trees and shrubs to diseases. When decay occurs, the decay attracts insects to the tree and causes more damage.
Knowing your area’s trees, shrubs, insects, and diseases can be very helpful. A certified arborist from Cutler Cuts can advise you on the best practices for your space and your specific trees. Trimming and pruning in late winter, when insects are the least active, will help keep your trees and shrubs healthy.
