Tree care during the winter months is a task experts at Shier’s Family Tree Care Service say needs to be added on your to-do-list, if you want to save time and money.
The team says as temperatures drop, arbor care becomes easier due to the decrease in foliage and dormancy of the tree, which in return helps your trees flourish all year-around.
The benefits are endless as certain trees can add value to a home and can even reduce energy costs depending on their placement.
“Past aesthetics it’s just good to keep your tree safe just because you don’t want to neglect them and then have a big limb crash down,” said Alex Shier, head of operations.
Shier says trimming and pruning are practices homeowners can do to protect their tree, but the key is knowing how to execute.
His advice is don’t trim more than 30% of the tree. Look for dead or rubbing branches, make cuts within the tree’s forks and unions so the limbs heal properly and look for suckers within the tree’s root system.
Young trees require extra attention to ensure they grow properly, and if done right, maintenance becomes easier as time goes on.
“It’s really important that when you cut a tree, you know where because you can’t make a lob cut and expect that tree limb to be ok,” explained Shier, “it can cause your whole tree to die or the bark to not graft.”
If a tree has fallen down and a stump remains, issues can still linger. Shier says smaller trees can grow within the stump and can rob nutrients away from surrounding plants, including flowers.
The winter season is also the ideal time to remove stumps and prevent growth in the spring.
“When you buy a house and inherit a 100-year old tree, those don't happen overnight, so it's really important to take care of them because they’re generational,” said Shier.
While tree work can be done at home, it’s never too soon to call in professionals to ensure a tree is getting the sunlight, nutrients and proper moisture it needs to prosper.
Shier explained excess moisture in a tree’s center can lead to mold and fungus and if the disease isn’t addressed, it can spread and cause the tree to die. But being proactive can help you in the long run.
“If a tree grows incorrectly and lands on your roof it can lead to thousands of dollars in damages and when trees get too large and are close to the house, they can start causing foundation damage,” said Shier.
Professional companies like Shier can also make an assessment on a tree and determine its health and if they’re a safety risk, which could also save you money in the long run.
