When it comes to the question, “What time of year is best for tree tree pruning?” The answer can be indirect.
Tree type often dictates when many species can be trimmed, along with pest population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other plants and trees in the yard.
With the guidance of a professional arborist in Kentucky, you will be able to decide which time of year is the best for pruning your trees to set them up for success next season and every year after that.
Best Season to Trim Trees
Without any other information, KY Tree Trimming recommends trimming trees in the winter. This ranges from November to March in Kentucky. Winter is optimal because trees are typically dormant, so pruning will lead to a minimal amount of damage, if any.
There are many benefits to pruning trees during the winter:
Less chance of pest damage and disease – Pests and plant diseases are usually inactive during the winter in Kentucky. During the rest of the year, everything from insects to fungus can affect a freshly trimmed tree because the tree will be the most susceptible and these issues thrive when there is warmer weather.
Easier to see the shape of the tree when the leaves are gone – Leaves stop your arborist from seeing the complete shape of the tree. When branches are bare, it is much easier to see dead or diseased branches and branches that are touching versus those that are just too close to each other.
Trees have time to heal before spring – By performing major pruning during the winter, your trees will have several months to build up callus tissue on the ends of the remaining branch collar. By the spring season, you’ll barely be able to identify where the branches were cut off, and the tree will be able to use its energy to produce brand new, healthier leaves, fruit or flowers instead of healing new cuts.
Less chance of damaging nearby landscaping – Most of the nearby trees and plants will also be dormant during this time, so there is a lower risk of doing damage to them. Many times, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the spring and summer, but there are no plants to be disturbed in the winter since these annuals have already died out.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Yes, all trees can benefit from pruning. Tree pruning in the winter is good for trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your property and your family and neighbors. Let us explain:
Trimming Makes the Tree Healthier
Dying and diseased limbs are cut off, as are branch stubs that are susceptible to pests and disease. Branches that can rub against one another are also trimmed so that they don’t weaken one another or cause an open wound on the tree.
Pruning trees every year is also a great way to get an expert’s opinion on your trees so that early signs of decay, disease and insect infestations can be spotted and responded to immediately.
A Well-Maintained Tree Serves Its Purpose Better
When a tree becomes overgrown, it’s hard for water and nutrients to reach every branch. This can leave the tree looking weak and sick and definitely not doing what it’s intended to do.
Pruned trees, on the other hand, blossom more fruit, healthier leaves and offer better shade. They are much fuller and healthier and less likely to create landscaping problems. So regardless of why you planted a new tree, routine trimming each winter will improve the results you desire from it.
Trees are More Attractive After Pruning
If the curb appeal of your yard or landscaping is important to you, tree trimming is important! Trimming trees creates an attractive, uniform size and shape. This is important if you have several identical trees on your property.
Removing lower branches and upper branches that grow at improper angles improves the overall look of the tree while also promoting tree health.
Less Chance of Dropping Branches
Tree trimming – from a professional – helps the remaining tree branches to grow healthier and stronger. Therefore, storms and high winds won’t damage your trees the way they would an unkempt tree. Your home and family will be much safer living under and around trimmed trees.
Another safety concern for large trees is that they can impede the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree pruning, crown raising and other certified tree care services will keep the tree at a manageable size and prevent it from blocking various views.
Call KY Tree Trimming for Tree Pruning
Hiring a professional arborist in Kentucky gives you access to their knowledge on the subject of tree pruning. We strongly recommend relying on their years of experience if there are trees on your property that you’d like to keep healthy for awhile.
An arborist doesn’t just consider the immediate situation. Instead, he or she will take the time to research your trees and study their unique scenario (including their location and factors that could put them at risk). After collecting all of the information, an arborist will suggest a long-term plan based on your trees’ needs and stick to that plan until your goals for your trees are achieved.
This plan might take many years to implement, but rest assured, it will lead to healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.
This type of ongoing care will result in healthy tree growth, help your landscaping resist plant diseases and improve flower or fruit production from trees. It will also fortify your trees so there is less risk of falling trees or limbs.
Being proactive about tree care will save you a lot of money as well. Preventative care is far more cost-effective than the cost of emergency tree services, storm damage restoration or curing an ill tree of a disease that has gotten out of hand (and one that was easily preventable).
If you care about the health of your trees and the curb appeal of your landscaping, trust a certified arborist for tree trimming and maintenance from KY Tree Trimming. Discover our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Kentucky. Call today!
