 Proper winter tree pruning is a technique that can improve the aesthetic appeal, health, and vigor of your trees.
Below are some benefits of wintertime pruning:
Even though the wintertime is a great time to prune, if the tree is a spring flowering one and the blooms are crucial to you, it may be best to wait and prune that tree right after it is finished blooming. Even though pruning spring flowering trees in the winter will not harm their health, it can diminish those blooms. If you don’t know if your tree is a springtime flowering one or not, ask a York arborist for assistance. Why Prune? The usual reason that folks prune their trees is to maintain or lessen the size of a tree. Other reasons to prune are:
Winter is a favorite time to prune trees. Almost all the leaves have fallen, and you can see the tree structure. With a straight sightline to the tree’s interior growth behaviors, it is usually more straightforward for an arborist to detect structural problems and make the right pruning decisions. Pruning modifies the growth and form of the tree so any questions must be asked before pruning is started.  It’s tough to know when to prune trees when there’s so much conflicting advice. The good news is, pruning your trees is simpler to master than most people think. Use Tree Service York PA’s handy guide to know when’s the best time to prune for the health and longevity of your tree. Prune Anytime for Plant Health If your tree has dead or diseased limbs, limbs that are crossing over one another, or limbs that are hanging in hazardous positions, prune those suckers off any time, winter, spring, or summer. Keep in mind that while a clean clip here and there won’t do much, a significant amount of pruning will kick your plant into growth mode. So when pruning for health, prune sparingly when possible. Prune During the Winter to Encourage New Growth Tree care specialists agree that pruning during a tree’s period of dormancy is the preferred window for several reasons:
Prune for Spring Cleaning It’s not a good idea to prune heavily in the spring as this is when many trees are putting on their best blooming show, so save the heavy spring cleaning for your closets. However, a little tidying up in the spring is sometimes in order. Clip the flowers when they’ve wilted to encourage continued blooms all season long. Pruning Fruit Trees Fruit trees have their own set of rules for the first few years after planting. Once they become established, prune during dormancy for best results. Avoid summer pruning which will inhibit growth--not good if you’re expecting a plentiful fruit harvest! Never Prune in the Fall Just like bears hibernate to make it through the long winter, trees also go dormant during the winter to conserve energy. Pruning a tree encourages new growth and requires the tree to expend a lot of energy, which is why pruning a tree right before it goes into its period of dormancy is a bad idea. Pruning in the fall also increases the risk of disease. Relax with a pumpkin spice latte and leave the pruning for another season. Don’t Prune Dangerous Limbs You should never risk your life to prune a limb. If your tree has hard to reach limbs, limbs that are extra large, or limbs that might cause damage on their way down, it’s best to call a professional tree care company to do the job for you. Happy pruning!  Planting trees can be quite the expense in itself, so it’s no wonder people hesitate to put mulch around trees. Mulch can be costly and applying it takes a bit of work. But trust us--mulch is essential to helping new trees get the protection and nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Here are Tree Service York PA’s top three reasons every young tree needs mulch:
What Kind of Mulch Is Best? The best mulch is organic, thick, composted bark or wood chips. A bed of pine needles or leaves works well, too. Don’t use mulch made of plastics, fabrics, or moss: These types of mulches do not provide the same benefits as organic mulch. How Much Mulch Should I Use? Use no more than 2-4 inches of mulch, spread 3-5 feet around the perimeter of the tree. Too much mulch can actually be detrimental to your tree, encouraging disease or rot. How to Apply Mulch Around Trees: Remove all weeds and grass from the perimeter of your tree, about 3-5 feet outward. Apply a layer of your preferred mulch, starting a few inches out from the trunk’s base. Never pile massive amounts of mulch right up on the base of the trunk as it encourages rot. A just-right layer of mulch will improve the health of your tree the way nature intended. To keep your mulch in tip-top shape, perform yearly upkeep: Rake back existing mulch a few feet and fill in the ring with fresh mulch. If you have tree care questions, we have the answers at Tree Service York PA. From tree removal to planting to tree trimming services, we do it all.  Are you wondering how to stake a tree? It’s quick and easy to do. But before we begin Tree Staking 101, we’ll let you in on a secret: Most trees do not need to be staked. Why? Letting your new tree grow naturally without help will allow it to anchor a robust and hardy root system into the ground, stabilizing it for years to come. The trunk of the tree will also benefit from building bulk and strength right off the bat. In fact, staking certain types of trees is actually detrimental to their growth. There are a few instances that stakes are necessary, though. Let’s break it down: When to Stake
When Not to Stake
How to Stake a Tree If you’ve determined your tree needs to be staked, you’ll be pleased with how easy it is. You’ll need only a few things: Stake material: thin but sturdy metal or wood stakes (2) Strapping material: soft material such as old pantyhose or canvas strapping (2)
Yep, it’s that easy. When necessary, staking a young tree can provide it the jumpstart it needs to live a long, strong, and healthy life. We love sharing our tree knowledge fellow arborists because at Tree Service York PA, tree care is our passion. From tree planting to stump grinding to emergency tree removal, we offer tree care services that are affordable and professionally executed. That’s why we’re the top tree specialist in central PA. For more tips, read our blog or give us a call at 717-216-4888. |
AuthorWe at York Tree service want to provide you with helpful tips and information about services your trees. Contact us if you need tree service at your property. Archives
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Tree Service York PA
2536 Eastern Blvd #102
York, PA 17402
(717) 216-4888
2536 Eastern Blvd #102
York, PA 17402
(717) 216-4888