It’s wintertime and your landscaping is asleep. Or is it? Just because the days are shorter — and colder — doesn’t mean that you don’t have any lawn care maintenance to worry about. As an untrained professional, you may not realize the importance of pruning during the winter months. That is why the arborists at The Natural Way are here to help. These experts know how important year-round pruning is to keep trees healthy and want to share their tips and tricks for keeping your plants and trees healthy during the coldest months of the season.
Winter Pruning Offers a Better Look
It’s much easier to see the overall structure of the tree with no leaves blocking the view; pruners can view patterns on the outer edges of the canopy to help them make better decisions regarding branch removal.
Dead Buds Can Be Removed for Better Tree Health
Thanks to available energy in the fall, trees produce their leaf buds for the following year before they drop their current leaves. But sometimes these new buds die. You may not realize that those shriveled buds are new ones that need to be removed, but a trained arborist will. If left on the tree, the tree can become weakened and sport fewer leaves in the spring.
Bark and Branches Need Cleanup Help in the Winter
You may have noticed the bark on some of your trees changing colors or shriveling. This may be a sign of ill-health. Peeling, warping and texture changes are also a danger sign. Bringing in a professional to inspect weakened branches and remove dead ones can give your tree the strength to survive.
Can You Prune Your Trees Yourself?
While it is possible to prune your trees on your own, the fact remains that more trees are killed each year by improper pruning than by insects. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, it is always best to bring in a team of professionals like the ones at The Natural Way, to ensure that the job is done correctly.
For those who really want to make winter pruning a DIY project, be sure you take the time to learn the proper steps and make a plan. Proper pruning should follow this basic outline:
- Begin by removing all dead, broken, diseased or problem limbs. Always start at the point of origin. Be sure that your equipment is sharp so you can make clean cuts.
- Make training cuts by following its natural growth habit. Use slanting cuts on branches that are growing upward.
- Eliminate weak or narrow crotches and remove the less desirable central leader where double leaders occur.
The less you need to remove, the better. If your tree seems especially sick or you are finding it difficult to trim the areas needed, be sure to call the experts at The Natural Way for help. They have the expertise and equipment to handle any job — no matter how difficult.
To find out more about how The Natural Way can help you keep your plants thriving all winter long, be sure to email or call us.Our friendly staff is always ready to answer your questions