With recent heavy winds you may have noticed broken branches in your trees. Heavy snow and ice can cause more problems to already weak areas creating a hazardous tree.
Did you know winter tree pruning can be the optimal time for your tree pruning needs? When the tree enters dormancy, the overall structure can easily be seen without leaves. Broken branches and weak or poor branch attachments become more visible. Cuts made in winter will also have more time to heal in spring, being overall less stressful to your trees. Contact Arbor Plant Health Care today for our expert assistance to help you with your winter tree pruning.
What is winter tree dormancy? In the fall as hours of light shorten, chemical changes within the tree signal it’s time for the buds to close tight and for growth and development to stop for the season. The tree is slowing down its energy consumption/metabolism to endure the winter months when water and sunlight are limited. When trees are dormant can be an opportune time to prune or have an overall assessment/tree management plan developed. This should be done as part of your winter tree care schedule.
Mother nature has been rough with us in regard to heavy winds this year. Having a tree assessment performed can assist in reducing pricey storm damage. Proper steps can be taken to help prepare your trees to withstand strong winds such as winter tree pruning. Its always best to be proactive to better help protect your trees, property and self from excessive damage. Arbor Plant Health Care has a team of certified experts ready to help.
Be observant of your trees after a heavy windstorm/hurricane and throughout the winter for any possible reason to seek winter tree pruning. As part of your winter tree care be aware of:
- cracked, broken or hung up limbs in the trees canopy
- fallen trees on their side (branches and trunks under pressure)
- branches or fallen trees touching power or service lines
- lifted root plate
- damaged structural roots may affect the trees ability to anchor and stand
- trunk damage or cracks weaken structural stability
- signs of decay (mushrooms, spongy soft wood)
Contact us today to develop a tree management plan to better help your trees withstand heavy winds.
Why hire a certified arborist for winter tree pruning and winter tree care?
Tree care is an investment. Properly pruned or even removed trees can add great value to your property. A dangerous hazard tree is a liability. Tree work can be very dangerous and should only be performed by trained and experienced arborists with proper equipment. A certified arborist must have successfully passed a national certification exam then undertake continuing education to maintain current industry standards and techniques. Hiring a certified arborist ensures that the client will receive the optimum care for their trees or shrubs. Contact Arbor Plant Health Care today to speak with a certified arborist.
When is it time to remove a tree? Tree removal should be looked at as a last resort, when pruning or disease mitigation would be insufficient. Dead, dying or diseased trees can become hazard trees leading to thousands in property damage or personal injury. A bird’s eye view is needed as often a tree may not look damaged from the ground. A certified arborist can tell if a tree is struggling by studying its branches, trunk for compromises like cracks or hollow spots, root defects (lifted soil or fungi), sudden tree lean, proximity to house/foundation/power lines, thinning canopy, small, discolored leaves or emergence holes from pests. An Arbor Plant Health Care arborist takes into consideration all of the above when determining a winter tree care plan for your trees and shrubs.
