Think about life here in Central Oregon. Summers are glorious, fun and jam packed with activity. It seems like its go, go, go all day, every day in the summer. When fall rolls around, everyone seems to breathe a sigh of relief to take some time to chill out. Summer toys are put away (and winter toys come out!), the house closes up, kids are back in school and things slow down a little.
Guess what – your trees, especially deciduous trees, feel the same way. As they grow during the spring and summer months, they are also waiting to take a break during the dormant season. And this is the time to prune trees, during the very late fall and winter months. Here’s why late fall and winter pruning is a great idea:
Perfect pruning is possible. Bare trees, after they have dropped their leaves, allow us to fully see the branch structure and health of the tree. That way, we can prune precisely and efficiently. This actually saves us time—and you money. And we all love those two things.
Dormant season pruning helps support disease management. Pruning during the warmer spring and summer months can sometimes promote the spread of disease, as a fresh cut can attract active pests, fungi and other pathogens. However, the dormant season for trees is also a slower season for disease and pests.
Dormant season pruning preps your trees for winter storms. Remember last February’s wind storm? We sure do, and we’ve already had a significant wind storm on the books this seaon. Pruning in the fall will get your trees as prepped as possible for severe winter weather such as wind, ice and snow. It’s not totally foolproof, but can certainly help.
Open up to more sunlight. Pruning in the winter months allows for more sunlight to come through, which is especially nice for trees that are near windows of your home. Open up those branches a bit to get some crisp winter sunshine in!
Accessing trees is less disruptive for you and your yard. In the fall and winter months, we can usually access your trees a little easier because all of the other plants in your yard, including your lawn, are dormant too. Additionally, if the ground is frozen, there is less risk of damage to your soils.
Convenience. In the summer, you are outside and inundated with outdoor projects and outdoor play. Let us do the work in the winter with some timely tree trimming!
We are here to help you maintain beautiful, healthy trees. Plan your pruning this winter by giving us a call or sending us an email to get on the schedule. Until then, pray for snow!
–Mike D., 541-480-4223
