Stronger Branches Ahead: The Fall Advantage of Tree Trimming
Fall is the best time of year to trim and prune trees. These tasks encourage growth and improve health. The most important part is to know how and when to do the trimming and pruning, and this depends on the species, age, and natural growth cycle of the trees in question. Here are some advantages to trimming and pruning this time of year.
Falling Leaves Allow for More Visibility
Arborists know that after the leaves have fallen, the structure of the tree is more visible, which enables them to spot and mitigate damage more easily. They can also see if there are weak or crossing limbs that must be removed. Professionals recommend that this work must be done later in the fall to avoid triggering new growth, which can compromise the tree during winter.
Safer Removal of Weak Branches
Before an arborist begins the trimming and pruning process, they will thoroughly examine your trees for dead or diseased branches. These branches must be removed because they can cause hazards to people and property should they fall. They can even take out power lines, which can wreak havoc for your neighbors. Arborists prefer to do this work in the fall because the weather is milder. Trimming and pruning becomes more difficult during winter as there are storms and freezing weather that can make the job even more dangerous.
Trees Handle Shock Better
When winter rolls around, many tree species go dormant. This is similar to hibernation. New growth will not occur for a while, and this dormant period allows trees to handle shock more easily as pests are less active. However, cuts on branches do heal slower in colder months, so arborists take care not to over-trim and leave trees vulnerable to fungal infections.
Let in More Light
While the days are shorter in the fall, which also means that you have less sunlight, there are measures that you can take to allow as much natural light as possible to enter your home and yard. One effective method is crown thinning, which involves selectively removing weaker branches from the upper canopy of the tree. This allows much more light to filter in, and it also reduces the stress on the bottom branches. While you may think that you can do this work yourself with a good ladder and tools you bought from the hardware store, you should not attempt it. Upper-canopy work is dangerous when you have not had the years of training and experience of an expert, and one wrong move can cause severe injury or death. To ensure the safety of yourself and others around you, it is always best to contact an expert.
If your trees need a bit of TLC this year, now is the time to do it. Reach out to us at ArborTech in Hayward, CA, and allow us to meet your trimming and pruning needs.
