Causes of Tree Pruning in Winters
Pruning the trees is important part of the maintenance. If done properly and carefully, it can be a healthy thing for the trees as well. There are a plenty of tree pruning techniques and they should be used depending upon the kind of tree it is.
Generally, the pruning is done for following purposes:
- Removing the deadwood from the way or from the tree itself.
- Aesthetic purposes or giving a shape to the tree so that it can grow in a specific direction.
- Removing the hazards which can be for humans as well as other trees/plants nearby
- To initiate new growth
- Sometimes, the trees needs pruning after the storm or very windy weather.
- To action something found after tree decay detection.
When exactly the right time to prune the trees is independent on the conditions above. The purpose of pruning has to be determined first. If the purpose is just to remove the deadwood or little bit of tidy-up, then it can be done almost any time in any season.
Pruning in fall:
Pruning should be done during fall when ret-structuring is required. This is because during or just after the fall, the structure of the tree is clearly visible due to absence of the leaves. This is also called as dormant pruning. It’s affects can also be seen until the following year. When the trees are pruned at this time, for some kinds of trees, it results in much better growth. It requires Safe Climbing and Working in Trees.
Pruning in Winters:
Pruning in dead cold winters might not be a very good idea because the cut open area of the tree might dry out very soon. However, for some trees like the oak, pruning can be done if it has caught a disease like Oak Wilt. Any major pruning can be avoided in winters, specially is the tree is going through dryness itself.
Pruning in Spring:
Spring is the best season to prune the trees which bears the fruits. Even for other trees, it is a good time since at this time, the tree is in a mode to grow, recover and flourish. For some of the trees like Magnolia or redbud, it is better to wait for their blooms to drop before you prune them.
Pruning in summers:
Summer pruning is mostly meant to remove the deadwood and dried leaves which can catch fire if not cleaned. Too much heat can also cause dryness for the tree.
Apart from usual seasons, sometimes the trees needs pruning when there is a damage due to storm or construction. In such situations, the timing becomes secondary and the ‘need’ takes the priority. Knowledge of managing the tree is a must here. Arboriculture training can help you to identify the need for pruning at the right time, thus giving a healthy life to the trees. You can also go through the reports for pruning & removal applications to understand the process and its effects better.