When it comes to the question, “What time of year is best for tree trimming?” The answer is often indirect.
The type of tree will dictate when many species are able to be pruned, along with pest population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other types of plants and trees in the landscape.
With the guidance of a professional arborist in Massachusetts, you can determine which time of year is ideal for pruning your trees to prepare them for success next season and beyond.
Best Season to Trim Trees
Without any other context, MA Tree Trimming recommends trimming trees in the winter. This ranges from November to March in most areas. Winter is best because the trees are mostly dormant, so trimming will lead to the least amount of harm, if any.
There are several benefits to pruning trees during the winter:
Lower risk of insect damage and disease – Pests and plant diseases are mostly inactive during the winter in Massachusetts. Throughout the remainder of the year, anything from insects to fungus can affect a freshly trimmed tree because the tree is most susceptible and these issues thrive when there is warmer weather.
Easier to see the shape of the tree when there are no leaves – Leaves get in the way of your arborist from seeing the complete shape of your tree. When the branches are bare, it is a lot easier to see diseased or dead limbs and branches that are touching versus those that are just too close to each other.
Trees can heal before spring – By performing major pruning in the winter, your trees have several months to rebuild callus tissue on the ends of the remaining branch collar. By the spring season, you’ll barely be able to tell where the branches were removed, and the tree will be able to use its energy to produce brand new, healthier leaves, fruit or flowers instead of healing new cuts.
Less chance of harming surrounding landscape – Most of the surrounding trees and plants will also be dormant during this time, so there is less risk of doing damage to them. Most of the time, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the warmer months, but there are no plants to be disturbed in the winter since these annuals have already died out.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Yes, all trees benefit from annual trimming. Tree trimming in the winter is good for the trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your landscaping and your family. Let us explain:
Trimming Makes the Tree Stronger
Dying and diseased branches are cut off, as are stubs that are susceptible to pests and disease. Limbs that can rub against each other are also pruned so they don’t weaken one another or create an open wound on the tree.
Trimming trees every winter is also a good way to get expert eyes on the health of your trees so that early signs of decay, disease and pest infestations can be identified and dealt with as soon as possible.
A Well-Maintained Tree Serves Its Purpose Better
When a tree becomes overgrown, it starts to be hard for water and nutrients to get to every limb. This can leave the tree looking weak and sick and definitely not doing what it’s intended to do.
Trimmed trees, on the other hand, blossom more fruit, healthier leaves and provide better shade. They are much fuller and healthier and less likely to cause landscaping issues. So regardless of why you planted a new tree, pruning each winter will improve the results you desire from it.
Trees are More Beautiful After Pruning
If the curb appeal of your landscaping is important to you, tree trimming is a necessity! Pruning trees creates an attractive, uniform size and shape. This is important if you have several similar trees on your property.
Eliminating lower branches and upper branches that grow at improper angles improves the overall beauty of the tree while also promoting tree health.
Less Chance of Dropping Branches
Tree pruning – done the right way – helps the remaining branches to grow healthier and stronger. Therefore, storms and other inclement weather in Massachusetts won’t affect your trees the same way they would an unkempt tree. Your home and family will be safer living under and around trimmed trees.
Another safety concern for overgrown trees is that they can block the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree trimming, crown raising and other certified tree care services will keep the tree at a manageable size and prevent it from blocking various views.
Call MA Tree Trimming for Tree Pruning
Hiring a professional arborist in Massachusetts gives you access to their expert knowledge on the subject of tree trimming. We highly recommend relying on their expertise if you have trees on your property that you’d like to keep healthy for a long time.
An arborist doesn’t only look at the immediate situation. Instead, an arborist will take time to research your trees and understand their unique scenario (including their location and other factors that could put them at risk). After collecting all the information, an arborist will suggest a long-term plan based on the trees’ unique needs and stick to that plan until your goals for your trees are met.
This plan could require many years to implement, but rest assured, it will result in healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for generations.
This type of ongoing care will result in healthy tree growth, help your entire property fight off plant diseases and improve fruit or flower production from trees. It will also strengthen your trees so there is not as much risk of falling trees or branches.
Being proactive about tree pruning can save you a lot of money over time too. Preventative care is far more cost-effective than the cost of emergency tree services, storm damage restoration or restoring an ill tree of a disease that has spread out of control (and one that was easily preventable).
If you care about the health of your trees and the beauty of your property, trust a certified arborist for tree trimming and maintenance from MA Tree Trimming. Find our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Massachusetts. Call now!
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