When it comes to the question, “What time of year is best for tree tree pruning?” The answer will likely be indirect.
Tree type often dictates when many species can be trimmed, along with pest population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other plants and trees in the yard.
With the guidance of a certified arborist in Rhode Island, you can decide what time of year is ideal for pruning your trees to set them up for success next season and beyond.
Best Season to Prune Trees
Without any other information, RI Tree Trimming recommends trimming trees during the winter. This would be sometime from November to March in most areas. This season is optimal because trees are mostly dormant, so trimming will lead to the least amount of harm, if any.
There are a lot of benefits to trimming trees during the winter:
Less risk of pest damage and disease – Pests and plant diseases are mostly inactive during the winter in Rhode Island. During the remainder of the year, anything from insects to fungus can harm a newly trimmed tree because the tree will be the most susceptible and these issues thrive when there is warmer weather.
Easier to see the shape of the tree when there are no leaves – Leaves get in the way of your arborist from seeing the overall shape of the tree. When tree branches are bare, it is much easier to see diseased or dead limbs and branches that are touching versus those that are just too close to each other.
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 ends of the remaining branch collar. By the spring season, you’ll barely be able to notice where the branches were removed, and the tree will be able to devote its energy to produce new, healthier leaves, fruit or flowers instead of healing new cuts.
Less chance of harming nearby landscaping – Most of the surrounding trees and greenery will also be dormant during this time, so there is less risk of them. Many times, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the spring and summer, but there are no plants to be disturbed during the winter months since these annuals already died out.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Yes, all trees benefit from pruning. Tree pruning every winter is good for the trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your landscaping and your family. Let us explain:
Trimming Makes the Tree Stronger
Dying and diseased branches are removed, as are branch stubs that are prone to pests and disease. Branches that can rub each other are also trimmed so that they don’t weaken each other or create an open wound on the tree.
Trimming trees every year is a good way to get expert eyes on your trees so that early signs of decay, disease and pest infestations can be identified and dealt with immediately.
A Well-Maintained Tree Serves Its Purpose Better
When a tree is overgrown, it starts to be hard for water and nutrients to get to every limb. This can leave the tree looking weak and sick and definitely not doing what it’s intended to do.
Trimmed trees, on the other hand, produce more fruit, healthier leaves and better shade. They are much fuller and healthier and less likely to create landscaping issues. So regardless of why you decided to plant a new tree, pruning will maximize the results you want from it.
Trees are More Attractive After Trimming
If the view of your yard or landscaping is important to you, tree trimming is important! Pruning trees creates an attractive, uniform shape and size. This is very important if you have many identical trees on your property.
Removing lower branches and upper branches that grow at awkward angles enhances the overall beauty of the tree while also strengthening tree health.
Less Chance of Dropping Branches
Tree trimming – from an arborist – encourages the remaining tree branches to grow healthier and stronger. 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 issue for large trees is that they impede the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree pruning, crown raising and other professional tree care services will keep the tree at a manageable size and stop it from blocking various views.
Call RI Tree Trimming for Tree Trimming
Hiring a certified arborist in Rhode Island gives you access to their knowledge on tree pruning. We strongly recommend relying on their expertise if you have trees on your property that you’d like to keep healthy for awhile.
An arborist doesn’t only consider the immediate situation. Instead, he or she will take time to research your trees and understand their unique scenario (including their location and other factors that could put them at risk). After collecting all of the information, an arborist will suggest a long-term plan based on the trees’ unique needs and stick to that course of action until the goals for your trees are achieved.
This plan might require years to implement, but rest assured, it will lead to healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for generations.
This type of ongoing maintenance will promote healthy tree growth, help your entire property resist plant diseases and increase flower or fruit production from your trees. It will also fortify your trees so there is not as much risk of falling trees or branches.
Being proactive about tree pruning can save you a lot of money as well. Preventative care is much more cost-effective than the cost of emergency tree services, storm damage restoration or restoring an ill tree of a disease that has spread out of control (and one that was easily preventable).
If you care about the health of your trees and the beauty of your landscaping, trust a certified arborist for tree pruning and maintenance from RI Tree Trimming. Find our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Rhode Island. Call now!
