Most Leeâs Summit property owners think that their lawn care is over when temperatures drop in the winter. However, winter is an ideal time to prune trees. Pruning keeps trees healthy and can prevent branches from breaking from high winds and ice accumulation. The trees on a lawn are essential for providing beauty while increasing property value. Trees provide shade in the hot summer to reduce the costs of cooling a building. Trees are homes for wildlife such as birds and squirrels and they also provide food such as nuts and fruit. Pruning can help keep these trees healthy as long as you do it the right way. Here are some tree pruning tips from KC Arborist to follow.
Wait for Dormancy to Prune
Not every tree in Leeâs Summit should be pruned in the fall/winter. Some varieties should be pruned in the spring. Make sure your species of tree is a variety that should be pruned in the winter season. Trees should be pruned in the earliest part of winter before weather conditions become too rough. This will maintain the plantâs health while making the process easier as well. Since trees have lost the majority of leaves by late autumn to early winter, the branches are more visible, making it easier to see and remove unwanted items. Plus the cuts made in the winter as the tree is in dormancy are less likely to seep excessively, helping to maintain the treeâs health.
Be Careful Not to Over Prune
If you are not sure about pruning, call a certified arborist. An arborist is able to shape the treeâs branches to help promote healthy growth. Every tree has a different framework of branches and pruning best practices change with the type of tree and how its branches grow. We have seen homeowners in Leeâs Summit get overly zealous pruning and damage or even kill their trees, so if you are doing it yourself, err on the light side until you see what results you get the following spring. Pruning can be dangerous as well, if it requires climbing the tree with power tools like chainsaws. If you have never done it, itâs best to call a professional.
KC Arborists Are ISA Certified So Your Trees Are in Good Hands
Make sure when hiring someone to prune your trees they are professional arborists certified by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). KC Arborist’s entire staff of Account Managers are trained and certified by the (ISA). A professional arborist should provide free on-site estimates with helpful advice about tree care and pruning. We offer a variety of services to our Leeâs Summit home and business owners including tree trimming, pruning, tree removal and cutting. For additional information concerning winter tree pruning and care, call KC Arborist at 816-965-0539 or 913-390-0033.
