Fall may seem like the perfect time to trim your trees. In preparation for winter, many homeowners prepare their gardens and landscapes for the heavy snows of New England. But did you know that cutting your trees in the fall damages your trees?
Trees require adequate nutrients to survive the blustering cold days of winter. Contact Southington’s tree service contractors for help protecting your trees through the winter months. Continue reading to learn why trimming trees in fall is a bad idea.
Disadvantages of Trimming Trees in Fall
Trees enter their dormancy period in late fall and early winter. Trees may not produce leaves during the winter, but they still require adequate nutrients and sunlight to survive—trees lacking essential moisture and minerals risk cracking, rotting, and creating weak branch connections.
Speak to your local tree care professionals before trimming your trees in the fall. Tree experts evaluate the health of your trees and soil to determine the ideal conditions for proper tree growth. Reasons to avoid trimming trees in fall include the following:
Tree Rot
The fall season in New England consists of rainy, wet days. Improperly trimmed trees remain exposed to rot damage, mold growth, and insect infestations. Never attempt to trim trees yourself, as bad pruning cuts into the branch collar can expose trees to tree rot and freezing temperatures. These improper cuts can significantly harm the tree’s health and vitality.
Rotting trees provide the perfect habitat for wood-boring insects. Powderpost beetles, termites, and carpenter ants thrive in the moist environments of dying trees and dead branches. Protect your trees from harsh weather conditions and insect infestations by avoiding trimming your trees in the fall.
Tree Branch Growth Issues
Pruning your trees encourages new branch growth; however, tree branches struggle to grow during the cold days of winter. Trees trimmed in the fall expose newly formed branches to freezing temperatures, inadequate nutrients, and the heavy burden of snow. Consider trimming your trees in late winter or late spring to encourage healthy branch growth.
Fruit trees may struggle to bear fruit if trimmed before their dormancy period. Prune fruit trees in the late winter to allow the maximum amount of sunlight into the base of your fruit trees. Trimming your trees in the fall may lead to low fruit yields in the spring and summer.
Benefits of Winter Pruning of Trees
Instead of exposing your trees to disease and rot by trimming your trees in the fall, consider pruning your trees in the late winter. Trees exit their dormancy period and begin their growing process in the spring. Freshly pruned trees will enter the spring season perfectly suited for healthy growth.
Other benefits of winter tree trimming include the following:
Less Stress For Trees
Dormant trees remain less exposed to insect infestations, mold growth, and tree rot. Winter pruning of your trees puts less stress on your trees recovering from wounds, breakage, and decay. Give your trees their best chance at survival by undertaking all your trimming and pruning projects during the winter.
Improved Visibility
Lush canopies create significant obstacles when trimming your trees. Enlist trained professionals to help trim your trees once all the leaves have fallen. Winter tree trimming remains safer and more effective than trimming trees in fall.
Trust GM 2 Tree Services, LLC, for All Your Fall Tree Trimming Needs
GM 2 Tree Services, LLC proudly serves the Connecticut community. We provide high-quality pruning, tree removal, land clearing, stump grinding, and winter tree care services. To learn more about trimming trees in fall and proper tree trimming techniques, call GM 2 Tree Services, LLC, at (203) 527-6237 to receive your free estimate today!