Why Prune Trees During Winter?

In the middle of winter, you probably aren’t thinking about tree care. However, winter is still an excellent time to give your trees a bit of extra attention. In fact, it could be the best season to prune your trees. Making some time for tree care this winter could give your trees a jump start on growth when spring gets here – and the Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists team is here to help!

Minimizing Tree Stress

Trees can experience stress! And as you might guess, having limbs cut off is pretty stressful for them. A stressed tree has decreased overall health, stunted growth, and increased susceptibility to disease.

However, trees become dormant during the winter, meaning that their growth slows down and they begin storing up energy to grow in the spring. They’ll also experience less stress during this dormant period, meaning you can remove ailing limbs without risking their health.

Additionally, pests are attracted to the open “wounds” in a tree’s bark, but they’re less active during cooler weather, too – meaning a pest infestation is much less likely to occur after wintertime pruning. 

Why Trees Need Pruning

Pruning makes your trees look more neat and tidy, but it isn’t just about looks; pruning also comes with a number of health benefits, especially when combined with fertilization and pest control treatments. Other benefits include:

• Encouraging healthy limb growth. By pruning away sick or damaged limbs now, your tree will prioritize strengthening the remaining limbs when growth restarts.
• Restoring balance. A balanced crown is important for safety; trees that are heavier on one side are more likely to tip over, especially if their root systems are weakened. 
• Increased leaf growth. Trimming the canopy (the leafy part of the tree) can increase the amount of sunlight the leaves receive.
• Increased fruit yield. Pruning can encourage more growth from fruit trees. 

Assessing Trees During Winter

Since most trees (except evergreens) lose their leaves during winter, it’s easier to spot any potential problems or hidden damage on the tree’s limbs or trunk. A Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists arborist can help you assess your trees and address these issues without causing the tree excess stress.

Here in San Jose, our winters are usually mild. But strong winds and even snow have been known to happen. Weakened branches and even entire trees can fall during periods of bad weather, constituting a tree emergency. If you’re dealing with a tree emergency, call Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists immediately. We’re available 24/7 to help.

Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists is Here to Help San Jose Trees Survive and Thrive

Tree care may not sound like a winter activity, but with a little extra attention now, your trees could grow stronger than ever when spring returns. For home and business owners in and around San Jose, we’re the best team to call for any and all of your tree care needs. Count on us to help your trees flourish this growing season!Give us a call to get started with a free consultation.