Winter is a great time to prune trees and shrubs. Call us if you’d like to get on our pruning schedule.
The leaves have fallen from most trees and shrubs. Now you can see the “bones” of your landscape, the structure and shape of your plants.
This is a great time to walk around your landscape and look carefully at your trees and shrubs. Do you see branches that are dead or damaged? Are any branches crossing? Is a plant growing too densely?
We offer professional pruning services. Pruning is a worthwhile investment for the long-term health of your trees and shrubs. Our arborists are expert at selective pruning techniques to keep plants in their best possible condition.
We still have room in our winter pruning schedule. Contact us for an evaluation and estimate.
Why should you prune?
Pruning helps trees and shrubs stay healthy.
- Removing dead, damaged and diseased branches helps prevent insect and decay organisms from entering the plant.
- Removing crossing or rubbing branches, and doing selective thinning, allows air and light to enter the plant. This will result in fewer disease problems.
Pruning helps a young tree develop an attractive and healthy form.
- Removing selected limbs will establish good branch architecture. This will help the tree stay healthy as it grows.
- Pruning a tree over time as it grows will create an aesthetically pleasing shape.
Why prune in winter?
- Plants are dormant, so pruning is less stressful.
- There are no leaves on deciduous plants. This makes it easier to see the tree’s shape and branch structure.
- It is easier to get inside the tree or shrub. The best way to prune is from the inside out.
- Removing weak or damaged branches will help your tree or shrub make it through severe winter weather.
- It may be easier to reach trees and shrubs without harming other landscape plantings.
Pruning in winter can, however, encourage vigorous growth. If you are concerned about that, it is best to wait until summer.
Our pruning approach
In addition to removing branches that are crossing, rubbing, dead or diseased, we will open up the tree or shrub to let in more light and air. We will assess the branch structure and prune for long-term health and beauty.
We do not shear or top trees and shrubs because that can harm a tree’s health. If we need to reduce the size of a tree, we will remove individual branches.
If you have a tree or shrub that has been pruned badly in the past, we can work to restore its structure and form. This may take a few years to correct because we need to do it in stages. We will adjust the plant’s shape as it grows.
Resources
If you would like to do your own pruning this winter, there are a number of resources online. Here are just a few.
- Plant Amnesty: More than 100 pruning videos
- Swansons Nursery: Winter pruning tips
- Old Farmers’ Almanac: Winter pruning guide
- Chicago Botanic Garden: Pruning in winter
- Davey Tree: Dormant season is an ideal time for pruning
- National Arbor Day Foundation: Tree pruning guide
