Wintertime is prime time for pruning your trees and shrubs! With Central Florida thankfully spared snow, ice and arctic temperatures, getting out in the yard isn't a daunting effort. But why is this season ideal for pruning? For plants that shed their leaves in autumn, the branches are bare - making it easier to see where the work needs to be done - as well as easier to access! In addition, non-evergreen trees and shrubs are dormant, which means they have ample time to recover and grow to greater fullness come spring.
Now that you know why you should prune now, here's what you need to know in order to achieve the best results for healthy, thriving trees and shrubs!
Pruning Hardwood Trees
In fact, hardwood trees and woody evergreen shrubs can be trimmed any time of year, as long as they're not under severe stress - such as drought. The advantages of pruning in winter is that it's well before the start of hurricane season (June 1 through November 30), and you can get a clear look at the health and stability of limbs and branches.
Pruning Deciduous Trees - Don't Commit Crape Murder!
The lovely crape myrtle is a popular deciduous tree that graces numerous Central Florida landscapes with its delicate flowering branches. However, too many homeowners commit the crime of "crape murder" - the practice of severely pruning or topping crape myrtles in the mistaken belief it will promote fuller blooms in spring. Not only is it unnecessary, it's detrimental to the health of the tree. This aggressive pruning method removes strong, viable limbs and encourages the growth of weak shoots that often aren't strong enough to support the blooms. The cuts made at pruning sites also makes the tree more vulnerable to disease entering and taking hold.
"Prune only selectively in late winter to clean up random shoots or open up the canopy a bit. Late winter is the best time to do this type of pruning before the trees leaf up so you can really see those random shoots. It's also fine to cut back any crossed or dead branches and to trim side branches from the trunk so the growth is higher."
Pruning Woody Shrubs
If you plan to add woody shrubs to your yard, be sure to take care in selecting the right plant for the intended place so that its mature size doesn't become a problem in the future.
The Advantages of Removing Trees in Winter
All of the afore-mentioned advantages of pruning trees in the winter apply to removing them, as well. Without foliage, you can better see the structure of the tree, which may reveal evidence of disease or rot. If you suspect the tree is diseased or otherwise unsound, calling a professional to examine and diagnose it during this time of year will make removing it easier, should this be necessary.
In such a case, the tree itself or a branch could fall spontaneously, causing serious property damage, injury, or worse - and you could be liable for damages to a neighbor's property or personal injury.
Understand that when we talk about tree removal, we're not recommending you play lumberjack and cut it down yourself - or with the assistance of another non-professional. This is not a DIY job. Most homeowners lack the equipment, personal protective clothing and gear to safely do this - not to mention the physical ability. Even if you're strong and sturdy, however, cutting down a tree requires more than brawn. You need to correctly determine the direction in which the tree will fall - as well as take other measures to ensure the job is done without causing injury or property damage. The money you think you'll save by doing it yourself ultimately isn't worth the risk.
Whether you need tree removal or tree pruning, our experienced professionals at Daniel's Lawn Service & Pressure Washing have you covered! Our full-service company is completely licensed and insured, and also provides landscape design , tree installation, yard maintenance , bush hogging , pressure washing and so much more. today so we can do the work, and you can do the enjoying! We proudly serve all of Central Florida - including Orlando, Sanford, Longwood and Lake Mary! We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and bring your vision to life!
