Seattle Tree Care: The Benefits Of Winter Pruning

A common tree care misconception is that maintenance and pruning can’t be done during the winter months. However, the truth is that winter is the perfect time for pruning, maintenance, and removal services. In fact, major tree care like pruning should only be done during the winter for certain trees like fruit trees to protect their fruit production.

The reason winter is the perfect time to prune your trees is because during this time they are in a state of dormancy. That’s why Westcoast Tree Care would like to provide you with the following benefits of winter pruning.

Structure Is Easier To Evaluate

After a tree has lost its leaves, it’s easier for a certified arborist to evaluate its overall structure. This allows us to properly identify and dead, broken, and dangerous branches. It also helps us to determine whether or not pruning is needed to keep your trees healthy, safe and looking their best.

Healing & Spring Aesthetics

Winter is a great time to have your trees pruned by a certified arborist because wounds left behind from pruning have plenty of time to heal before spring growth occurs while minimizing the amount of foliage you will have to remove after pruning.

Disease Prevention

Pruning your trees during the winter helps to avoid the spread of diseases that are often active during the spring and summer months. These include Dutch elm disease, oak wilt, and more. During the winter, fungi, bacteria, parasites, and insects are also dead or dormant making it less likely to be transmitted due to pruning.

Efficient Process

Here in Washington, the ground often freezes during the winter months which allows a certified arborist to use heavy equipment without the worry of damaging your landscape. This, in turn, results in a more efficient process with better outcomes. This is especially true when it comes to pruning or removing large trees.

Less Stress On Trees

Pruning during the winter doesn’t stimulate any new growth that can be killed when the weather gets cold, thus damaging and disfiguring trees. Instead, pruning before spring growth occurs allows wounds to fully heal before the weather warms us, bringing with it destructive insects and pathogens.

Prevent Winter Damage

Dead, damaged or dying trees can be a dangerous hazard during the winter, especially when we get significant rain or snowfall. Pruning them during their dormant state makes them safer while rejuvenating weaker trees by removing dangerous deadwood.

Seattle Tree Care

The harsh winter elements can wreak havoc on your Seattle trees. That’s why preventative pruning is important when it comes to ensuring robust spring growth while reducing the likelihood of disease or insect infestations.

If you would like more information about our tree pruning services, contact Westcoast Tree Care at 1.800.767.8733. Our certified arborist would be more than happy to inspect your trees and answer any questions you may have. We can also provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation quote for any of our preventative tree care services.