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How And Why You Need To Trim Your Trees During The Winter Season
One of our primary focus on the tree surgery side of our business, is the long term health care of trees. Some species have relatively short life cycles, but some trees have unbelievably long life spans. In fact, the oldest entity on Earth is thought to be a Bristlecone Pine tree, called Methusela (named after the longest lived person in The Bible), in California. As such, the care that we pay to these trees is of the highest order to us, ensuring they live long and healthy lives, contributing to our atmosphere, carbon storage, aesthetics, and habitat. One of the best times to prune trees, is the Winter time. Deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in the winter) go fully dormant in Autumn and Winter and in evergreens we can observe a slowing down of the metabolic function. Not fully dormant, but almost. This allows the tree to be effectively pruned in a way that embraces it’s natural growing cycle and conserves energy for Spring. There are the odd species of tree, such as holly or bay, that prefer to be trimmed in the Spring, so do check before you begin.
The reduced sap flow drastically reduces the chance of infection from pest or disease, allowing a healing period that isn’t possible in the Summertime. Late Autumn to early Spring gives us the opportunity to trim these trees in a way that is good for them, whilst contributing to the aesthetic appeal.
Tree Health And Structure.
Structural integrity of a tree is crucial. Especially in Kent, and other areas of the South East where prevailing winds can uproot a poorly trimmed tree. When a tree grows dense and thick, the branches and leaves can create a “sail” effect, essentially catching the wind and transferring all of that pressure into the roots. If the roots aren't secure or the soil is not healthy, this can mean the tree fails. During the Winter, when the leaves are off, we can take a good look at the structure of the tree, performing crown thinnings that allows wind to flow through the tree, and removing dead or diseased branches that may break off and fall down unless otherwise addressed. This allows a strong and balanced shape to develop.
Encourage Healthier Growth
By employing correct techniques to prune the trees, we can develop a strong and robust canopy. As Spring rolls around on this reduced tree, the tree requires less energy to grow it’s branches, so it’s nutrition is focused on creating stronger, healthier limbs instead of having it’s resources spread thin. With good nutrition in the soil you can expect a healthy and luscious green tree growth.
Avoiding Pests And Diseases.
Pathogens are less active in the cold Winter weather, so trimming the branches then gives trees the best opportunity to safely heal. It also means that, as above, because energy is not being committed at that time to new growth, the tree can focus it’s energy and nutrition on healing the wounds of pruning.
Less Stress
Trees have a vascular system that essentially works on a vacuum principle. By cutting the trees when the sap is flowing (late Springtime and Summer) the tree has to work much harder to heal, greatly increasing the stressload on the tree. By cutting in the Wintertime when the sap is dormant, the tree has far less processes to manage at that time.
How To Prune Trees Correctly
Cut Less
The less cuts you make, the better. Each cut made to a tree, even the smallest of branches, is a wound that the tree must heal. It is open to infection and invasive species, pathogens and fungi. By making less cuts you reduce the risk of these infections, and give the tree the best chance of recovery. Whenever we do tree work our goal is to make the fewest cuts possible to achieve the desired outcome.
Use Sharp Tools
Sharp tools again reduce the risk of excessive exposure to pathogens. When using blunt tools, more effort is required to separate the pruned branch and often, tearing of the bark can occur, further damaging the vascular system and increasing the chance of infection. Making clean, precise cuts, gives the tree the best chance to heal.
Cut Correctly
When cutting, familiarise yourself with the branch bark collar. This is a ridge of bark where the branch meets the tree. Within the tree, the tree has already used chemical and physical processes to “wall off” this part of the tree, so cutting just in front of the bark collar gives the tree the best chance to heal.
If pruning a smaller branch, cut just ahead of a growth point (like smaller branch or offshoot) the tree when then establish this growth point as the new end point of the branch, reducing the energy required.
Recycle Your Waste
We are committed to ensuring that nothing is left behind. Leaves or small twigs can be composted or mulched, wood can potentially be used for firewood or woodchips to cover pathways, and if that isn’t convenient for you it can be taken to processing centres for bio fuel generators.
Consider The Bigger Picture
When pruning a tree, it’s always important to consider the immediate area. Are there birds nesting in the tree that may be disturbed? Are you exposing another, weaker tree to stronger winds? Are you removing wind or shade cover from a garden or open area? Can all parts of the tree be lowered or dropped to the ground safely? These are all things that should be considered before you begin, and allow for a more symbiotic and environmentally considerate approach to tree work.
Conclusion
Winter pruning is an effective and sustainable approach with aesthetics, tree health, and safety in mind that allows for long term health for your trees and the landscape. As a company that is dedicated to a balanced approach to tree care, and strongly advocates for the health of the tree to be a high priority, these are all things that we can and do take into consideration.
If you require expert tree care advice, our team is always happy to help. Just give us a call and we can arrange advice, quotations, or tree works in a way that promotes environmental health and maximises the benefits to your trees and the surrounding landscape.
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