When it comes to the question, “Which season is best for tree tree pruning?” The answer can be vague.
The type of tree will dictate when many species are able to be pruned, along with pest population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other types of plants and trees in the landscape.
With the help of a professional arborist in Montana, you will be able to figure out what season is optimal for pruning your trees to prepare them for success next season and beyond.
Best Season to Trim Trees
Without any other context, MT Tree Trimming recommends pruning trees during the winter. This would be sometime within November to March in Montana. This season is ideal because the trees are usually dormant, so trimming will lead to the least amount of harm, if any.
There are many benefits to trimming trees in the winter:
Less chance of insect damage and disease – Insects and plant diseases are largely inactive in the winter in Montana. Throughout the rest of the year, anything from insects to fungus can harm a freshly pruned tree because the tree will be the most vulnerable and these issues are more common when there is warmer weather.
Easier to determine the shape of the tree when there are no leaves – Leaves get in the way of your arborist from seeing the complete shape of your tree. When the branches are bare, it is much easier to see dead or diseased branches and branches that are touching versus those that are just close together.
Trees can heal before spring – By doing this significant pruning during the winter, your trees will have many months to rebuild callus tissue on the ends of the remaining branch collar. By spring, you’ll hardly be able to identify where the branches were trimmed, and the tree will be able to focus its energy to produce brand new, healthier leaves, fruit or flowers instead of healing new cuts.
Less chance of damaging nearby landscape – Most of the nearby trees and greenery will also be dormant, so there is less risk of damaging them. Many times, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the warmer seasons, but there are no plants to be disturbed during the winter months since these annuals have already died out.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Yes, all trees can benefit from annual trimming. Tree pruning in the winter is good for the trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your property and your family and neighbors. Let us explain:
Trimming Makes the Tree Healthier
Dead and diseased branches are cut off, as are stubs that are susceptible to pests and disease. Limbs that can rub against each other are also pruned so that they don’t weaken each other or create an open wound on the tree.
Pruning trees every year is also a good way to get expert eyes on your trees so that early warning signs of decay, disease and insect problems can be spotted and responded to right away.
A Cared-For Tree Serves Its Purpose Better
When a tree becomes 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 meant to do.
Pruned trees, on the other hand, blossom more fruit, healthier leaves and provide better shade. They are fuller and healthier and less likely to cause landscaping issues. So regardless of why you planted a new tree, pruning each winter will improve the results you desire from it.
Trees are More Beautiful After Pruning
If the curb appeal of your yard or landscaping is important to you, tree trimming is important! Trimming trees gives them an attractive, uniform shape and size. This is important if you have many similar trees on your property.
Removing lower branches and upper branches that grow at awkward angles improves the overall look of the tree while also promoting tree health.
Less Risk of Dropping Branches
Tree trimming – done the right way – encourages the remaining 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 concern for large trees is that they can block the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree trimming, crown raising and other specialized tree care services will keep the tree at a manageable size and stop it from blocking various views.
Call MT Tree Trimming for Tree Pruning
Hiring a certified arborist in Montana gives you access to their knowledge on tree trimming. We recommend relying on their years of experience if there are trees on your property that you’d like to keep healthy for a long time.
An arborist doesn’t only look at the immediate situation. Instead, an arborist will take the time to inspect your trees and understand their unique scenario (including their location and other factors that could put them at risk of disease or infestation). After gathering all of the information, an arborist will make a long-term plan based on the trees’ needs and stick to that plan until your goals for your trees are met.
This plan could take years to implement, but rest assured, it will result in healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for generations.
This type of annual care will aid in healthy tree growth, help your landscaping resist plant diseases and enhance fruit or flower production from trees. It will also strengthen your trees so there is less risk of falling trees or branches.
Being proactive about tree trimming will save you a lot of money too. Preventative care is much more cost-effective than paying for emergency tree services, storm damage cleanup or curing an ill tree of a disease that has spread out of hand (and one that was easily preventable).
If you care about the health of your trees and the curb appeal of your property, trust a certified arborist for tree trimming and maintenance from MT Tree Trimming. Find our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Montana. Call now!
