When it comes to the question, “What time of year is best for tree trimming?” The answer is typically indirect.
Tree type usually dictates when many species can be pruned, along with insect population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other species of plants and trees in the landscape.
With the assistance of a certified arborist in Vermont, you can determine what time of year is optimal for trimming your trees to set them up for success next season and beyond.
Best Season to Trim Trees
Without any other information, VT Tree Trimming recommends tree trimming during the winter. This would be sometime from November to March in most areas. Winter is ideal because trees are typically dormant, so trimming will lead to the least amount of damage, if any.
There are several benefits to trimming trees in the winter:
Lower risk of pest damage and disease – Insects and plant diseases are largely inactive during the winter in Vermont. Throughout the remainder of the year, anything from insects to fungus can harm a freshly trimmed tree because the tree is most susceptible and these issues are more common when there is warmer weather.
Easier to see the shape of the tree when there are no leaves – Leaves stop your arborist from seeing the complete shape of your tree. When the branches are bare, it is much easier to see dead or diseased branches and branches that are touching versus those that are just close together.
Trees have time to heal before spring – By doing this major tree trimming in the winter, your trees will have many months to rebuild callus tissue on the ends of the remaining branch collar. By the spring season, you’ll hardly be able to notice where the branches were cut off, and the tree will be able to devote 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, so there is a lower risk of damaging them. Many times, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the warmer months, but there are no plants to be disturbed during the winter since these annuals already died out.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Yes, all trees benefit from pruning. Tree pruning in the winter is good for the trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your landscaping 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 prone to pests and disease. Limbs that can rub against each other are also pruned so that they don’t weaken each other or create an open wound on the tree.
Pruning trees each year is a great way to get an expert’s opinion on the health of your trees so that early signs of decay, disease and insect problems can be spotted and handled immediately.
A Well-Maintained Tree Serves Its Purpose Better
When a tree is overgrown, it starts to be hard for water and nutrients to get to every limb. This can leave the tree looking weak and sick and definitely not doing what it’s intended to do.
Trimmed trees, on the other hand, produce 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 decided to plant a new tree, routine trimming each winter will maximize the results you want from it.
Trees are More Beautiful After Trimming
If the curb appeal of your landscaping is important to you, tree pruning is important! Trimming trees gives them an attractive, uniform size and shape. This is very important if you have many similar trees on your property.
Removing lower branches and upper branches that grow at awkward angles enhances the overall beauty of the tree while also strengthening tree health.
Less Risk of Dropping Branches
Tree trimming – from an arborist – encourages the remaining 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 issue for large trees is that they block the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree trimming, crown raising and other professional tree care services will keep the tree at a manageable size and prevent it from blocking various views.
Call VT Tree Trimming for Tree Trimming
Hiring a professional arborist in Vermont gives you access to their expert knowledge on tree pruning. We strongly recommend relying on their years of experience if there are trees on that you’d like to keep healthy for awhile.
An arborist doesn’t only consider the current situation. Instead, an experienced arborist will take time to research your trees and study their unique scenario (including their location and other factors that may put them at risk). After collecting all of the information, an arborist will suggest a long-term plan based on the trees’ unique needs and stick to that course of action until your goals for your trees are met.
This plan could require years to implement, but rest assured, it will result in healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for generations.
This type of annual care will aid in healthy tree growth, help your entire property fight off plant diseases and enhance fruit or flower production from your trees. It will also fortify your trees so there is less risk of falling trees or branches.
Being proactive about tree care can save you a lot of money too. Preventative care is far more affordable than paying for emergency tree services, storm damage cleanup or curing a sick 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 pruning and maintenance from VT Tree Trimming. Discover our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Vermont. Call now!
