5 Benefits Of Late Winter Tree Pruning

Posted on: 9 February 2022

Late winter is the time to prune most landscaping trees. There are a lot of good reasons to schedule tree trimming at this time before the trees begin growing again.

1. Reduced Disease Transmission 

Much like animals and insects, the disease organisms along with the vector-borne diseases that tend to spread them are typically dormant during spring. Your pruning service can cut out diseased wood at this time with a lower risk of spreading problems to healthy parts of a tree or nearby unaffected trees. By combining winter pruning with proper tool sanitation, most worries about disease spread are mitigated. 

2. Less Messy Sap Production

One of the first signs that spring warming has returned is that the sap begins to flow in the trees. This sticky sap is thickest and most messy in early spring, so any pruning cuts made during this period will often result in seeping tree wounds. Not only is the sap messy, but it can also be a vector for fungal diseases and pests trying to get into the trunk. Trimming in late winter, before the sap runs, means less mess and risk.

3. Better Planning Visibility

It can be hard to properly trim a tree once it's fully blossomed. During late winter dormancy, the branches are still bare so your trimming technician can easily see where they should make cuts. Another benefit of doing this task during late winter is that dormant buds have begun to swell, so your trimmer can easily determine which branches are still alive and which should be pruned out. 

4. Nesting Bird Avoidance

Spring is the time of nesting birds, sitting on eggs, and cheeping babies. Trimming once nesting begins can be a challenge if you don't want to interrupt the feathered families. It may also be illegal to disturb songbirds or migratory birds when nesting, which means a full pruning may not even be possible. Trim in late winter, before migratory birds return and nesting begins, so that wildlife isn't a concern when pruning your trees.

5. Better Healing Ability

Any wounds in the wood quickly grow over and seal once the buds burst and the first frenzied rush of spring growth commences. Healing and growth will slow by summer and be at a standstill by fall. Pruning wounds made in winter just before the flush of spring growth will heal over quickly, thus reducing the chances of diseases or pests attacking the wound.

Contact a tree trimming service in your area if you need to schedule annual pruning. 

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