Trimming your trees is a great way improve their health and appearance, but when should you do have this done? Many people think that the prime pruning season is in the spring or fall, but this usually isn’t the case. The best time to trim most trees is actually between November and March. Here are a few reasons why this is the case.
1. The Dormant Season
Deciduous trees that shed their leaves every fall are dormant during the winter, so their energy and resources will go toward healing from cuts rather than promoting new growth. This reduces the stress on the trees and ensures that they recover quickly.
2. Improved Visibility
Trimming a tree during late fall and winter also allows for better visibility. There are no leaves on the trees, so you’ll be able to see the framework of the branches and the overall shape of the tree. You’ll also be able to identify dead or diseased branches more easily.
3. Avoiding Disease and Infestation
Trimming a tree makes it more vulnerable to disease and insect infestation. This is obviously a problem during the spring and summer when insects are at their most active, but it’s less of a problem when most of them are dormant in autumn and winter.
4. Reduces ‘Bleeding’
Many trees “bleed” sap when someone cuts them. This doesn’t hurt the tree, but it is unsightly and makes the job a bit messier. Trimming a tree while it’s dormant in the winter reduces the amount of sap that flows from a cut tree, especially if you trim it late in the winter.
Trimming Trees in Other Seasons
While most trees do well when they’re trimmed during the winter, spring-flowering trees, such as dogwood or lilac, should be trimmed no later than two weeks after their flowers have bloomed in the late spring or early summer. You also need to remove any storm-damaged or dead branches when you see them, regardless of the season. Allowing dead branches to remain increases the stress of the tree and impedes new growth.
Call Us for Assistance
Trimming a tree is vital for its overall health, but it can be difficult for many homeowners. If you have a tree on your property that needs to be trimmed, contact L&J Tree Service. We offer tree services to homes in Medford, OR and the surrounding areas, and we will be happy to assist you with all your trimming and pruning needs.