Winter Tree Care for Healthy Trees Year Round

Winter Tree Care for Healthy Trees Year Round

by | Dec 15, 2016 | Tree Care, Tree Pruning, Winter Plants

Now that winter is officially here in New England, it’s easy to think that there isn’t much that needs to be done in terms of caring for your trees. On the contrary; winter tree care can be extremely vital in the overall health of the tree for the upcoming warmer months.

Right now, your trees are in the inactive, or dormant, stage of growth-which is the best time to prune. Pruning can be done for aesthetic purposes, but it can also be done for the safety of the tree and your property. If tree limbs are too large and loom near power lines, your home, or other objects on your property-it can put them all at serious risk of damage. Limbs that are too weak need to be pruned to avoid damage to the tree itself. Proper pruning can help to prevent trees from weeping over from the weight of heavy snow and ice that can form in the winter. Pruning in the winter is less intrusive to the tree and is also more effective for the arborist. Due to the lack of leaves, the arborist can easily see the shape of the tree, allowing him to know exactly where to make the proper cuts.

In preparation for next year’s winter tree care, it is helpful to water and mulch some of your trees before the first heavy frost. The mulch will help to retain some moisture in the roots of the tree and help to keep pesky weeds out. Ideally mulch should be spread to about 2 to 3 inches thick using the taper method. Too much mulch piled up next to the trunk of the tree can trap too much moisture which can cause fungus growth and disease.

If there is a large winter storm headed your way and you are concerned about some of the trees on your property, it is best to reach out to a professional who can assess the situation and implement the proper techniques.

Here at Green Trees Arborcare, we know trees. We have a highly skilled and professional team with the right equipment to get the job done right. If you have any winter tree care questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.

Benefits to Tree Pruning

Benefits to Tree Pruning

by | Feb 1, 2014 | Tree Pruning

Many assume that tree pruning is done in order to achieve a desirable shape of a tree or bush. While this can be the case, there are also several other reasons for tree pruning such as:

  • To remove diseased or storm-damaged branches
  • To thin the crown to permit new growth and better air circulation
  • To reduce the height of a tree
  • To remove obstructing lower branches
  • To train the plant
  • For curb appeal
  • For safety reasons. Large, dead trees can pose a serious threat to the safety of your home and family.

In some situations, you could just tackle the pruning yourself. However, there are times when it is advised to hire a professional. If you have a large tree that you want to remove big branches from, especially in the upper area of the crown, it may be best to hire experts. Large tree pruning can require climbing, heavy saws, or even cherry-pickers. This is the type of job that should be left to trained and experienced professionals. You should never compromise personal safety in pruning a tree.

The best time of year for tree pruning is when the tree is dormant in late fall or winter, although dead branches should be removed any time of the year. Pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress to the tree. Also, in the case of deciduous trees, waiting until all of the leaves have dropped will leave you with a better idea of what shape will look best.

It is easy to over-prune a tree which can result in an unhealthy and vulnerable plant, which is another reason to leave the pruning to a professional. Please feel free to contact Green Trees Arborcare for a quote or with any tree pruning questions at: 508-384-2992 or click here to reach us on the web.

Tap to Call