Timing is everything when it comes to taking care of the trees and shrubs in your yard. With spring around the corner, you may think it’s best to wait for the warmer weather to do any pruning. But cutting back branches in spring leaves them vulnerable to diseases, pest infestations, and other damage. The right time to prune trees is in the winter or early spring before growth begins. Here’s why.

The Best Time to Prune Trees

We prune trees to improve their appearances and health and to promote growth. While dead or damaged branches can be cut any time of the year, live branches require extra care. Trees enter a dormant stage during the winter months that’s similar to hibernation. This stage begins after leaves drop in late fall. During dormancy, growth slows and trees conserve energy to survive the harsh weather and lack of nutrients. Now is the best time to prune trees.

Benefits of Pruning During Dormancy

There’s not a lot of yard work to do in the winter. So why not get one chore out of the way so you have more time to enjoy spring and summer activities? Here are some more benefits:

  • Trimming branches during dormancy puts less stress on the tree.
  • A tree’s structure is easier to see without leaf coverage. Seeing its structure helps you better identify which branches need to go.
  • There’s less likelihood of insect infestations or diseases like oak wilt and Dutch elm. During winter, most insects, parasites, and fungi are not active. Wounds heal before the warmer weather arrives, bringing with it pests and pestilence.

Cut Trees with Care

Trimming actively growing trees can result in damage and ruin their ability to bloom to the fullest in the future. However, the exception to the rule is trees that flower in spring. Wait to prune until right after they bloom. Always cut with care and don’t hesitate to call an expert for larger trees and more difficult jobs. Contact Free Spray Lawn Care today at 419-529-5296 with any questions about pruning trees and shrubs. We can help your yard look its best this spring.