Are Your Trees Ready for Winter?

At this time of year my thoughts are on turkey and the upcoming holidays, while our faithful, irreplaceable trees are outside in the cold landscape at the mercy of the oncoming winter storms.

Proper pruning is one of the best things you can do to preserve trees in the landscape! In my experience as an ISA Certified Arborist, large trees that are pruned regularly may be the difference between a long life or the sudden demise of your mature shade trees. Regular or routine pruning means at least once every four years to correct structural growth and remove all visible deadwood.

Properly pruning a young tree will set the stage for correct long term development in the structure of a tree. This helps protect the tree against damage from heavy snow, heavy winds and ice storms. An ISA Certified Arborist is best qualified to know which trees need pruning now and which may need pruning at a later date.

Although Mother Nature will determine what will ultimately be destroyed, a tree that is well prepared may be saved by proper pruning. Each time the tree is pruned the arborist will remove limbs that are weakly attached, diseased, and/or over-burdened, leaving structurally superior limbs. This process also reduces the overall weight in the canopy. Winter pruning allows wind to move through the tree and reduces the surface area for ice and snow to collect. Decades of experience have shown me that pruned trees have a better chance at surviving the winter gauntlet. In most cases, trees not pruned or maintained properly are the ones that are dangerous and make your property susceptible to severe damage from broken limbs or fallen trees.

We will gladly provide you with an evaluation of your mature trees. Contact us today to discuss both short and long term plans for the health of the trees on your property.

Written by Gary Carbocci