Westcoast Tree Care works throughout the winter months in Vancouver, Washington. In fact, we perform most of our services during the winter. This includes pruning, removal, view enhancement, windsail reduction, and preventative tree care. Why? Winter is the ideal time to view the structural integrity of a tree without all of its foliage in the way. That’s why we’d like to provide you with the following list of common winter tree care problems and the services we provide.
Common Winter Tree Care Problems
Salt Damage
Salt that’s used on sidewalks and roads can affect the soil, which can harm your trees. While salt damage can be subtle at first, salt will eventually migrate to a tree’s stems, buds, and roots. This can result in tree death or cause severe decline, which disfigures and stunts a tree.
Animals
While animals and trees go hand in hand, some animals can be detrimental to your trees. Animals such as deer, mice, or rabbits eat the bark, twigs, and buds of a tree to survive the winter. This can expose a tree’s base to infection or infestation, causing it to die.
Dead or Broken Branches
Snow and ice buildup can weigh down the branches of a tree, causing them to break. While you may think it’s okay to knock heavy snow and ice off your trees, this can actually cause more harm than good. Furthermore, it can cause branches to snap and break unexpectedly, which can result in serious harm and damage.
Damaged Root System
When a winter flood causes reduced root growth, the health of a tree declines. This can cause it to become susceptible to fungi that can weaken the entire tree. If the root system of a tree becomes excessively damaged, an emergency tree care removal may be necessary to prevent damage to your home and property in the future.
Unsteady & Falling Trees
You won’t need a professional tree care inspection to notice a fallen tree in your yard. Winter storms are known for knocking over trees that are weak, old, or have shallow root systems. Not only can a winter flood cause a tree to topple, high winds and heavy snow can also do the trick.
Winter Tree Care in Vancouver, Washington
During the winter, the ISA-certified arborists at Westcoast Tree Care can easily identify any weak branch structures, cavities, and decay better without foliage camouflaging these concerns. In fact, winter provides us with a clearer picture of what areas of a tree are problematic and needs to be removed. Since problematic areas are easier to spot, we can efficiently perform structural pruning and make more precise cuts, ensuring your trees stay healthy and beautiful all year long.
Additionally, when a tree is pruned, it leaves behind a wound. Like all living creatures, trees need time to heal and recover after pruning. Winter is the best time for trees to heal because they are dormant. This reduces the amount of stress they undergo and allows for more robust growth when spring arrives. Furthermore, we provide consultations all winter. At Westcoast Tree Care, our ISA-certified arborists will create a tailor-made management plan specific to your property, created with goals in mind for our clients.
In-Person Tree Diagnosis
At Westcoast Tree Care, we often get asked what we think is wrong with a tree over the phone. While asking for a tree care diagnosis over the phone may seem plausible, it’s a lot like asking your doctor for a diagnosis without an examination. While our ISA-certified arborists may be able to recognize some symptoms you describe, the real problem may not be immediately noticeable, which can affect the health and integrity of your tree going forward. In order to effectively assess a tree’s condition, it’s essential to get an in-person tree diagnosis.
Vancouver Tree Care Services
Westcoast Tree Care provides winter tree care and removal services. Our ISA-certified arborists are trained to identify any warning signs and risks of danger when it comes to the safety of your home and loved ones. We also know what it takes to keep your trees healthy and growing for future years to come. If a tree on your property is suffering due to a winter condition or just doesn’t look right, contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at 1.800.767.8733.