Prune Trees in Winter
During winter months, it may seem like your trees don’t need any attention, but the Arbor Day Foundation suggests this is the best time to do pruning.
- During winter foliage isn’t an issue, so you will have a clearer picture of what branches to remove and which areas are problematic or possibly diseased.
- During warmer seasons, fresh cuts are more vulnerable to insects which can spread tree killing bacteria and fungi. Pruning during the dormant season helps prevent this from happening.
- Some trees, like oaks, should only be pruned during the dormant season because they are especially susceptible to oak wilt disease, which is known to spread extremely fast in the spring and summer. When a tree is pruned, it is actually being wounded. They need time to recover and bounce back.
- During the dormant season, trees are at rest, giving the tree time to heal. Proper pruning paves the way for healthy spring growth. Removing weak branches gives trees more strength to withstand spring and summer weather events, such as high winds.
Arborist Advice: Why Should You Prune Your Trees During the Dormant Season?