Tag Archives: tree pruning

Preparing Trees for Winter

Many homeowners tend to think yard work comes to a stop in the fall, but it’s important for the health of your trees to prepare them for harsh winter conditions.  By taking a few simple steps, you can help your trees weather the worst winter New England can throw at them.

Fall is the time to prepare trees for winter!

Fall is the time to prepare trees for winter!

First, spread a layer of mulch under each tree.  This will act as an extra layer of insulation to protect the tree’s roots from cold and frost.  We suggest using organic composted mulch which will will not only protect the tree, but feed it as the organic matter decomposes.

You’ll also want to continue to adequately water your trees throughout the fall.  They need water as much now as they did during the spring and summer, especially after the unusually dry conditions we’ve had over the past couple of years.  Just be sure not to water when the soil and trees are frozen.

Trees that are stressed form drought are vulnerable to winter extremes.

Trees that are stressed form drought are vulnerable to winter extremes.

Consider protecting trees from damage due to snow plows, shoveling, and hungry animals.  Young trees in particular are more susceptible to these forms of damage.  Wrapping the trunks of these trees in burlap or plastic cloth will ward off damage as well as provide additional protection against the cold.

Fall is an ideal time to prune trees.  Once the leaves have fallen, it’s easier to see the tree’s shape and structure as well as any damaged or diseased branches.  Pruning correctly is vital to the tree’s health, so for this task it is best to consult a professional.  Large trees must be pruned by a trained arborist for safety reasons as well as for the health of the tree.

Winter storms can cause major damage to weak trees.

Winter storms can cause major damage to weak trees.

You may be surprised to learn this, but fall is the ideal time of year to plant new trees!  The cooler weather stimulates root growth.  Later, the warmth and rain of spring encourages new top growth, resulting in a well established tree.  Some species of trees are best planted early in fall, while others do better when planted after becoming dormant.  Consult your garden store for the best time to plant the tree you wish to add to your yard.

At Westchester Tree Life, we strongly encourage our clients to schedule a tree inspection before winter snow and wind take their toll.  We will carefully inspect your trees for any weakness and help prepare them for the coming season.  Contact us today to schedule an inspection and learn how we can help prepare your trees for winter!

Summer Landscape Checklist

Maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn this summer is easy with our summer landscape checklist!  Our team of professionally trained arborists are here to assist you with any chores you have on your summer landscape checklist.  To request an online consultation, click here.

Prune Trees & Shrubs

Pruning-Westchester-Tree-Li

Summertime is the ideal time to prune trees and shrubs!  Removing dead, damaged and diseased branches from your trees helps to prevent insect and decay from infecting your tree.  The thinning of a dense tree canopy increases the tree’s airflow and sunlight, which results in fewer diseases and maladies.  Properly pruning your trees and shrubs can be tricky, if you’ve never done it before; call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069 to schedule a pruning service.

Landscaping

Landscaping Westchester

Keep your lawn looking it’s best with landscaping services this summer.  Taking the time to map out your yard’s landscape will keep maintenance streamlined and stress-free.  If you are unable to maintain a neatly manicured landscape, schedule landscaping services!

Remove Tree Stumps

Stump Grinding Westchester New York

Tree stumps can be an eyesore.  Westchester Tree Life has the equipment and professional training to safely remove tree stumps!  Removing a tree stump will make all the difference to your landscape!

View all Westchester Tree Life’s Services here.

Summer Pruning

Maintain your Westchester County residence looking its best this summer with summer pruning from Westchester Tree Life!  Our professional arborists can properly and safely prune your tree branches and shrubs.

Summer Pruning Westchester Tree Life

Summer Pruning

Summer Pruning Westchester Tree Life

Summer pruning is ideal when attempting to direct the growth of your tree branches.  Pruning can also reduce the total leaf surface, which overall reduces the amount of food which is created and sent to the roots.

Defective LimbsPruning-Westchester-Tree-Li

Removing defective limbs should be left to professionally-trained arborists, due to the serious danger risks associated with the process.  Westchester Tree has the training and equipment to properly removed defective limbs.  Defective limbs can be defined as dead branches or limbs that hang down too far.

 

 

What is Dormant Pruning?

Dormant pruning is a great way to maintain healthy, beautiful trees!  What is dormant pruning?  Dormant pruning is the pruning of a tree during the off-season (fall and winter).

Tree-Pruning-Westchester-Tr

The Benefits of Pruning

Pruning your tree ensures that all dangerous limbs are removed, which prevents property damage and personal injury.  Fallen Branch Sign Fallen Tree Branch Westchester Tree Life

Removing unnecessary tree branches also influences and encourages tree growth while allowing your tree to maintain it’s proper weight distribution.

Tree Forms Westchester Tree Life

Which tree shape do you like best?

Are you looking to shape your tree into a certain configuration?  Pruning is the answer!

Why Dormant Pruning is Best

Removing limbs is stressful to the tree.  Pruning your tree during it’s dormant season ensures that less sap is loss, and the tree endures less physical stress.

Dormant Tree Westchester Tree Life

Trees are also less susceptible to damage from insects and disease during the dormant season.

Only a Little Off the Top

When pruning your trees, we recommend that you only remove what is needed.

Chappaqua Tree Care

Westchester Tree Life is happy to assist you in dormant pruning!

We highly recommend that you call a professionally certified arborist to properly prune your tree.

 

Pruning Trees 101

Pruning Trees 101 is a condensed guide to help you understand the needs of your tree while pruning your tree properly.

Westchester Tree Life Pruning

Why Prune Your Tree

One of the most common procedures for caring your your tree, is pruning.  Pruning is the process by which superfluous branches and twigs are removed from the tree.  While pruning your tree, it is vital to keep in mind that each removal must have a cause; unnecessary or improper trimming can result in the growth change of your tree!

Pruning Westchester Tree Life

Common reasons for pruning are to improve the tree’s form, remove dead branches, and reduce risk.  When properly pruned, your tree may gain increased light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown and the landscape below!

When to Prune Your Tree

Tree Pruning Before After

Photo Courtesy of www.citytrees.org

Routine pruning of your tree can take place during any season, with little to no effect on the tree.  Ideally, growth and wound closure are maximized if the pruning takes place before spring’s growth flush.

Avoid heavy pruning of the tree’s “live tissue” just after the spring growth period to avoid stress on the tree.  After spring growth the tree has just exhausted energy to produce new leaves and early shoot growth; the healing process after this period will be slower.

Pruning Young Trees Vs. Pruning Mature Trees

Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology.  Westchester Tree Life’s professional staff of arborists are trained in the proper procedure of tree pruning, and can ensure that your tree is being pruned in the best way possible.  Ensuring that your young tree is properly pruned is vital in setting it up for a long, healthy life; properly maintaining your mature tree is just as important.

Young Tree Mature Tree

By properly pruning your young tree from the beginning, you are setting it up to grow with a strong structure and desirable form.  Young trees which receive proper pruning will require less corrective pruning when they are older.  The goal in training your young tree is to establish a strong central trunk with sturdy branches which are well spaced.  Remember that poor pruning can cause lasting damage to a tree!

Making the Cut

When making the cut we cannot stress enough how important it is to have a reason for cutting.  Improper cutting can result in the tearing of bark.

Hand Pruners Westchester Tree Life

To prune your tree, you will need hand pruners, lopping shears, and a pruning saw; be sure to use tools which are sharp and clean.  Do not use hedge shears to prune your tree.  Once you have evaluated which branches need to be removed, be sure to make your pruning cuts just outside the branch collar.  The branch collar contains trunk tissue that should not be damaged or removed.

Pruning Tree Guide Westchest

If you are removing a large tree limb, reduce the weight first.  Before you begin cutting, mark an undercut about 12 to 18 inches from the limb’s point of attachment; make another mark to cut a few inches farther out atop the branch.  Afterward, remove the stub of the tree limb by cutting back to the branch collar.

Once again, we stress that the improper pruning of both young and mature trees can result in the stress and damage of your tree.  If you are unsure how to properly prune your tree, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069.