When people picture a summer day they may visualize the buzz of lawnmowers, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the chatter of friends and neighbors working outside on their lawns. Because of this, many Winona, MN, area residents might just consider summer the optimal season for lawn work. The sun is out, the days are long, and you have all the time in the world to do a little trimming. But many tree care professionals such as those at Maier Tree and Lawn also recommend tree pruning in the winter. The question is: does it make a difference?
There's definitely a benefit to doing your tree pruning in the summer. Not only is the weather great, but you can easily see the shape of the trees when they're in full bloom and filled out with leaves. This makes the results of the pruning immediately visible and aesthetically simple. There's an added bonus that if you have particularly overgrown trees, a good summer tree pruning session can help spurn excessive growth for the rest of the year. Plus, it's a lot more fun to work outside when you're not bundled head to toe and freezing. But just because summer tree care is easier for you may not mean it's the only option.
Winter tree pruning is a great option. It is essential for trees that may be susceptible to certain diseases such as oak wilt or Dutch elm. Because the trees are dormant in the winter you have less chance of drawing curious insects, spreading contagious tree diseases, or stressing your tree with excessive cuts. Plus, even though the leaves may be missing in the winter, it's still possible to make stylistic decisions while tree pruning. Leaves or no leaves, the shape of the tree will still be visible, and some could say that winter tree care is easier with the bulk of the leaves out of the equation.
Ultimately, your decision to prune relies on the type of trees that you have and your tree care health goals while tree pruning. There's no single rule in which tree pruning needs to happen, but depending on your personal preferences and the trees you choose to grow, it can make a difference. If you're trying to decide the right time of year to prune your Winona, MN, trees, the tree care experts with Maier and Tree and Lawn can help you make your decision with the health of your trees in mind. Contact Maier Tree and Lawn at (507) 454-7000 or visit their website here for more information.
