Tree pruning is the practice of removing dead, diseased, or loose branches that are not contributing to a tree’s healthy growth. It may also involve removing problematic branches that are inhibiting a tree’s growth in other ways, such as branches that overlap with one another. Pruning helps to protect trees against various threats, so it’s important to do it every few years according to a tree’s age and needs.
While there isn’t necessarily a bad time to prune a tree, there is a best time: winter. More specifically, tree pruning is beneficial during the months spanning from November to March. There are many reasons why winter is an excellent time for tree pruning, including the following:
- Lack of Leaves – For trees that shed their leaves in autumn, winter is an excellent time to take care of pruning. The lack of leaves renders the branches exposed and visible, so it’s easier to see where there are problems and remove the appropriate branches.
- Dormancy – In the winter, trees are dormant. They are not actively growing, which means cutting off branches is less stressful for the trees. In addition, tree pruning when a tree is dormant means encouraging new growth as soon as the weather warms up again.
- Pest and Disease Prevention – Many of the pests and diseases that inflict trees are also dormant during the winter, which means it’s easier to remove branches without leaving wounds that expose trees to these risks.
If you would like to help your trees thrive, we encourage you to reach out to our team to learn more about tree pruning or our other services.