Trees need care during colder months too…prepare for spring now!
/When it comes to your trees, there’s two things to think about during the colder months. One thing is winter and early spring pruning. Although pruning can be done at any time, “as a rule, growth and wound closure are maximized if pruning takes place before the spring growth flush.” (ISA, Trees Are Good). In addition to preparing to prune your trees, you must also examine your trees for Emerald Ash Borer. The Emerald Ash Borer continues to devastate trees in the Midwest every year and this pest is weakest in the winter, which makes it the perfect time to prevent them from spreading further. Read more about each of these winter tips below.
Pruning
During winter months trees go into a dormancy, similar to how animals hibernate. They may look dead, but they are definitely alive, which makes it a perfect time for arborists to prune. “Pruning during dormancy is the most common practice. It results in a vigorous burst of new growth in the spring.”(Arbor Day Foundation) “Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Although forest trees grow quite well with only nature's pruning, landscape trees require a higher level of care to maintain their structural integrity and aesthetics. Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology. Improper pruning can create lasting damage or even shorten the tree's life.” (Trees Are Good) Make sure to utilize a certified arborist to prune your trees properly.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Preparation
“When considering some of the treatment for the coming year we may think there is little we can do until spring. But, there is actually extensive work to be done this winter.” (MSU) “During the winter months the EAB is in a very vulnerable state. It can neither fly nor crawl from its location within ash trees. One very important procedure that can be done throughout the winter is SANITATION. Sanitation has several important benefits; reduces the population of EAB, helping to prevent explosions of the insect population, and reduces the food substrate and habitat for the EAB.” (Treedoctor.com) It addition to being dangerous to other Ash trees, EAB can make these trees brittle and unstable, making it a major safety hazard to anyone or anything nearby if they fall. “Since the tree may already be unstable and dangerous, it's wise to hire a trained, certified, insured professional arborist to do the job.” (Chicago Tribune)
If you are ready to start pruning or need help with examining your ash trees for EAB, contact us today. We are certified ISA arborists located in Lafayette.
Resources:
https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/when-to-prune.cfm
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/home/ct-sun-0215-garden-morton-20150209-story.html
