A Good Time For Tree Trimming

The cold and freezing winds and frigid temps make many hesitant to go outside to do normal tree trimming in winter. But in many ways, cold weather is the best time to trim your trees. Without the mass of leaves to obstruct the view, the appearance and shape of the tree is much clearer. When trimming a tree during winter, consider the following things before you start.

The first thing you will need to do is to make sure your tree is free from debris and leaves/needles before it's time to trim.

Next, take your trimmer or pruning shears to the tree's base, and cut away any dead, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy branches. Make sure not to take out more than half of the branches to prevent over-trimming. The last thing you want is a tree with too much leaf to take out and not enough healthy branches left for the winter season. Next, check your soil for compacted debris.

Next, start by trimming all the branches that are more than five feet tall. If the branches are not over twenty-five feet, trim them further.

If you have a lot of healthy branches to start trimming, you will want to keep trimming until you achieve the shape you are looking for. Make sure to check your tree to make sure you are not cutting too deep into the bark. If so, you may need to consult a landscaping professional before you proceed.

Now, you are ready to trim your tree in winter. Most trees are dormant during this time and you can have your tree ready for the spring season without having to trim again. You can also help keep the leaves from growing on your tree with an early frost.

The winter will also help to keep your tree's roots in place. Also, your tree will be easier to prune as you will not have to fight the tree with your shears. In the fall, the tree is in the best possible shape to be cut back in winter.

In the spring season, you should be trimming minimal limbs and diseased branches. During this time, you will find fewer leaves and growth on the tree and more healthy roots. Trimming your trees in spring and fall, as well as making sure your tree has no leaves to deal with in winter, will keep your tree looking healthy all year long.

Spring is the best time to trim your tree for both health reasons and to allow the new growth time to catch up to the old growth. The old-growth will become smaller because of a lack of food. Also, the cold season will kill off the weak trees causing the tree to produce smaller new growth.

Fall is another great time to trim your tree because it helps the tree shed all of its dead leaves and thaws out the winter hardiness. After the fall, you will find that the new growth is growing very rapidly.

If you take care of your tree now, you will help it continue to be in good condition all year long. You can enjoy many years of enjoyment from your tree.