When it comes to the question, “Which season is best for tree tree pruning?” The answer is sometimes indirect.
The type of tree will dictate when many species can be pruned, along with insect population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other species of plants and trees in the landscape.
With the guidance of a certified arborist in Florida, you can decide which season is ideal for pruning your trees to set them up for success next season and beyond.
Best Season to Trim Trees
Without any other context, FL Tree Trimming recommends pruning trees during the winter. This ranges from November to March in most areas. Winter is best because the trees are mostly dormant, so pruning will lead to a minimal amount of damage, if any.
There are many benefits to pruning trees during the winter:
Less chance of insect damage and disease – Pests and plant diseases are mostly inactive in the winter in Florida. During the remainder of the year, anything from insects to fungus can harm a freshly trimmed tree because the tree is most susceptible and these issues thrive in warmer weather.
Easier to see the shape of the tree when the leaves are gone – Leaves stop your arborist from seeing the overall shape of your tree. When tree branches are bare, it is a lot easier to identify dead or diseased branches and branches that are touching versus those that are just close together.
Trees have time to heal before spring – By doing this major tree trimming in the winter, your trees have several months to rebuild callus tissue on the tips of the remaining branch collar. By the spring, you’ll barely be able to notice where the branches were removed, and the tree will be able to focus its energy to produce new, healthier leaves, fruit or flowers instead of healing new cuts.
Less chance of damaging nearby landscape – Most of the surrounding trees and greenery will also be dormant during this time, so there is a lower risk of damaging them. Many times, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the spring and summer, but there are no plants to be disturbed in the winter months since these annuals have already died out.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Yes, all trees benefit from trimming. Tree pruning every winter is good for the trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your property and your family. Let us explain:
Trimming Makes the Tree Healthier
Dead and diseased limbs are removed, as are branch stubs that are prone to pests and disease. Limbs that can rub one another are also trimmed so that they don’t weaken each other or create an open wound on the tree.
Pruning trees every winter is also a great way to get expert eyes on the health of your trees so that early warning signs of decay, disease and insect problems can be spotted and dealt with as soon as possible.
A Cared-For Tree Serves Its Purpose Better
When a tree is overgrown, it starts to be hard for water and nutrients to reach every limb. This can leave the tree looking scraggly and sick and definitely not doing what it’s intended to do.
Pruned trees, on the other hand, produce more fruit, healthier leaves and provide better shade. They are much fuller and healthier and less likely to create landscaping problems. So regardless of why you decided to plant a new tree, pruning each winter will maximize the results you desire from it.
Trees are More Beautiful After Pruning
If the view of your yard or landscaping is important to you, tree trimming is important! Pruning trees results in an attractive, uniform shape and size. This is very important if you have many identical trees on your property.
Trimming lower branches and upper branches that grow at improper angles enhances the overall look of the tree while also promoting tree health.
Less Chance of Dropping Branches
Tree trimming – done the right way – encourages the remaining branches to grow stronger and healthier. Therefore, storms and high winds won’t damage your trees the way they would an unkempt tree. Your home and family will be much safer living under and around pruned trees.
Another safety concern for overgrown trees is that they can impede the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree pruning, crown raising and other specialized tree care services will keep the tree at a good size and prevent it from blocking various views.
Call FL Tree Trimming for Tree Trimming
Hiring a certified arborist in Florida gives you access to their knowledge on tree pruning. We strongly recommend relying on their expertise if there are trees on your property that you’d like to keep healthy for awhile.
An arborist doesn’t just consider the current situation. Instead, he or she will take time to inspect your trees and understand their unique scenario (including their location and factors that could put them at risk). After gathering all of the information, an arborist will create a long-term plan based on the trees’ needs and stick to that course of action until your goals for your trees are achieved.
This plan could require many years to implement, but rest assured, it will lead to healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.
This type of annual maintenance will result in healthy tree growth, help your entire property resist plant diseases and improve flower or fruit production from your trees. It will also strengthen your trees so there is not as much risk of falling trees or branches.
Being proactive about tree care will save you a lot of money too. Preventative maintenance is much more cost-effective than the cost of emergency tree services, storm damage cleanup or curing a sick tree of a disease that has gotten out of control (and one that was easily preventable).
If you care about the health of your trees and the beauty of your property, trust a certified arborist for tree pruning and maintenance from FL Tree Trimming. Find our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Florida. Call today!
