Properly prepare for the cold months with winter tree pruning

With winter once again approaching it is time to consider the needs of your trees. Trees are frequently damaged by bending, breaking, splitting and failing during winter storms and snow fall. Tree pruning before winter storms move in makes it better able to carry the extra weight of ice and snow. Branches can be thinned to reduce their surface area and wind resistance. Proper winter pruning encourages the formation of the strongest possible branches and branch attachments. Some multi-stemmed trees can also be cabled for extra support.

Here are some warning signs to be aware of when looking at your trees:

• Dead or partially attached limbs.
• Cracked stems and branch forks.
• Hollow or decayed areas on the trunk or main limbs, or mushrooms growing from the bark that indicates decay.
• Peeling bark or gaping wounds in the trunk.
• Tight, “V” shaped forks which are much more prone to failure than open “U” shaped ones.

Always remember that a tree is a dynamic living organism that changes over time, and that past response to winter storms is not necessarily an indicator of the future.

For more information, contact our tree pruning experts at Ontree today.