When it comes to the question, “Which season is best for tree trimming?” The answer is typically indirect.
Tree type dictates when many species are able to be trimmed, along with pest population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other types of plants and trees in the landscape.
With the assistance of a certified arborist in Texas, you will be able to determine which time of year is optimal for trimming your trees to set them up for success next season and beyond.
Best Season to Prune Trees
Without any other information, TX Tree Trimming recommends trimming trees in the winter. This would be sometime within November to March in most areas. This season is ideal because the trees are usually dormant, so pruning will cause a minimal amount of damage, if any.
There are many benefits to pruning trees in the winter:
Less chance of insect damage and disease – Insects and plant diseases are usually inactive during the winter in Texas. Throughout the rest of the year, anything from insects to fungus can harm a newly pruned tree because the tree is most susceptible and these issues thrive during warmer weather.
Easier to determine the shape of the tree when the leaves are gone – Leaves get in the way of your arborist from seeing the complete shape of the tree. When tree branches are bare, it is much easier to see diseased or dead limbs and branches that are touching versus those that are just close together.
Trees have time to heal before spring – By doing this significant tree trimming during the winter, your trees will have several months to build up callus tissue on the tips of the remaining branch collar. By spring, you’ll hardly be able to notice where the branches were removed, and the tree will be able to focus its energy to produce brand new, healthier leaves, fruit or flowers rather than healing new cuts.
Less chance of damaging nearby landscape – Most of the surrounding trees and greenery 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 warmer months, but there are no plants to be disturbed during the winter since these annuals have already died out.
Do All Trees Need Trimming?
Yes, all trees will benefit from annual pruning. Tree pruning in the winter is good for the trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your property and your family. Let us explain:
Trimming Makes the Tree Healthier
Dead and diseased branches are removed, as are branch stubs that are prone to pests and disease. Limbs that can rub against one another are also pruned so they don’t weaken each other or create an open wound on the tree.
Trimming trees every winter 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 identified and responded to 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 meant to do.
Pruned trees, on the other hand, produce more fruit, healthier leaves and provide better shade. They are much fuller and healthier and less likely to cause landscaping problems. So regardless of why you planted a new tree, routine trimming will maximize the results you desire from it.
Trees are More Attractive 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 important if you have many similar trees on your property.
Trimming lower branches and upper branches that grow at improper angles enhances the overall beauty of the tree while also promoting tree health.
Less Risk of Falling Branches
Tree pruning – done the right way – helps the remaining branches to grow stronger and healthier. Therefore, storms and high winds won’t damage your trees the way they would an unkempt tree. Your home and family will be safer living under and around pruned trees.
Another safety concern for overgrown trees is that they can block the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree trimming, crown raising and other certified tree care services will keep the tree at a good size and prevent it from blocking various views.
Call TX Tree Trimming for Tree Trimming
Hiring a professional arborist in Texas gives you access to their knowledge on tree pruning. We highly recommend relying on their years of experience if you have 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 the time to research your trees and study their unique scenario (including their location and other factors that could put them at risk of disease or infestation). After collecting all the information, an arborist will create a long-term plan based on the trees’ unique needs and stick to that plan until your goals for your trees are met.
This plan might require many years to implement, but rest assured, it will result in healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for generations.
This kind of annual maintenance will aid in healthy tree growth, help your entire property resist plant diseases and improve flower or fruit production from the trees. It will also strengthen your trees so there is not as much risk of falling trees or limbs.
Being proactive about tree pruning can save you a lot of money as well. Preventative maintenance is far more affordable than the cost of emergency tree services, storm damage restoration or curing a sick tree from a disease that has spread out of hand (and one that was easily preventable).
If you care about the health of your trees and the beauty of your property, trust a certified arborist for tree pruning and maintenance from TX Tree Trimming. Discover our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Texas. Call today!
