Ask the Arborists: Winter Tree Care
Welcome to Ask the Arborists, where our certified Madison arborists answer your questions about trees and tree care. In this installment, we’re discussing how homeowners can take advantage of the leafless months of winter to look out for the health of their trees.
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Winter Tree Care for Homeowners
Q: Is winter a good time to look for tree problems?
A: Yes it sure is! With leaves off deciduous trees, structural concerns, dead wood, fungal growth and bark defects are easy to see.
Q: What trouble signs should we look for in the winter?
A: Cracks, cavities, dead and hanging branches, fungal growth and general structural issues are easier to identify with the foliage off trees.
Q: Are there things that might look like problems but are normal for winter trees?
A: The obvious answer here is that there are no leaves on the trees! However, a trained eye can identify dead branches vs. branches that have buds and are alive. Did you know that deciduous trees produce buds before they go into winter dormancy?
Q: What should we do if we think a tree has a problem?
A: Call a professional arborist and ask them to come and look at your tree. They should be happy to spend time with you without charging you a fee, and they should be able to explain in detail what may be concerning about your tree and why it has happened. A good arborist is trained and knowledgeable in tree biology and can explain biotic and abiotic factors that cause issues with trees.
Q: Can trees be treated, trimmed, or removed in the winter?
A: Winter is a great time to prune trees and remove trees. Pests and biological pathogens that can spread diseases are dormant in the winter, gardens are dormant, and the ground is frozen solid. Treatment of trees must be done during the growing season as this process requires the vascular system of the tree to be active.
Q: What about fir, spruce, and pine trees that never have bare branches?
A: Winter is a good time to prune or remove evergreens, and inspecting these trees can take place any time of year. Snow load on evergreens may cause damage, and we can help mitigate this damage or remove limbs that may have broken as a result of snow or ice.