Keep Your Trees Healthy During Winter

When the weather gets cold and the weather gets harsh, the only tree most people think about is the Christmas tree; many people don’t think about the trees outside as they gather with family and friends to enjoy holiday gatherings. Plants don’t grow during the winter, so they don’t need any extra care, right?

However, your trees can see a lot of benefits from a little attention before winter sets in. Winter can be dangerous for trees, especially in Western Maryland. Heavy snow, wind, and ice can cause damage to tree limbs and open the trees to disease and pest infestation. With some preemptive care and attention from the Baker Tree Services team, you can keep your trees safe and give them a head start when the growing season returns in the spring.

If you’re dealing with a tree-related emergency, such as fallen limbs or a fallen tree, don’t hesitate to call us. We’re available 24/7 for emergency tree services.

Why is Winter Tree Care Important?

Perhaps the most important benefit of maintaining your trees during the winter is increased safety. Making your trees look better is just a bonus.

Protect Your Property (and Your People)

Trees can be very dangerous if they aren’t taken care of properly. If your trees are dying, dead, or infested with pests, they’re much more likely to drop limbs or fall over. Even if your tree looks perfectly fine to you, it could harbor disease or other problems harming its overall health. To the untrained eye, a tree could look just fine – and you might not know there’s a problem until it’s too late.

To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to have your trees professionally inspected periodically, especially before harsh weather conditions set in. This could prevent property damage and serious injury that can occur if unhealthy trees fall.

Protect Your Trees’ Health

Did you know that trees can become stressed? Just like people, trees become stressed when their needs aren’t met. Trees also become stressed when trimmed and pruned. However, trees also become dormant during cold weather, which means they will experience less stress from these procedures. Since increased stress will negatively impact the tree’s overall health, it’s best to trim trees when it will be least stressful. 

Cold-weather trimming will give your tree a head start when the growing season returns, encouraging new growth and reducing the risk of stress-related sickness. A professional arborist can also ensure that the tree’s crown is balanced, which will increase the tree’s overall stability.

Benefits of Tree Assessments During Winter

Even though trees don’t grow during winter, it’s still a great time to have them inspected and make sure they’re prepared for the return of spring. Read on to learn why.

Structural Issues Are Easier to Spot

Since trees lose their foliage during winter – except for evergreens – it’s easier to look directly at the trunk and limbs to inspect for any structural issues. It will be much easier for your Baker Tree Services technician to look for signs of pest damage, disease, and imbalance, which makes the assessment process quicker and more accurate.

Reduced Risk of Pest Infestation

In addition to reducing stress for the tree, pests are also much less likely to infest a tree during winter. This is because most tree pests are also dormant during winter. Fungal infections are also less likely to arise during cold weather. You can think of bark like a tree’s “skin.” Since trimming and pruning involve cutting into this “skin,” it opens a vulnerability in the tree’s “body.” This can lead to infection or infestation, but if it’s done when most threats are dormant, the outcomes can be much better.

What Goes Into a Tree Assessment?

Professional tree assessments from Baker Tree Services involve a visual inspection of your tree’s overall health. Here’s what we’ll look out for:

• Cracked, split, or damaged trunks and branches.
• Signs of fungal disease and pest infestation.
• Root issues; signs include slow growth and overall reduced tree health.

If we notice any issues with your tree, we’ll always let you know the best way to handle them – whether it needs pruning, cabling for extra support, or pest and disease control measures.

Keep Your Trees Healthy Year-Round With Baker Tree Services

Keeping your trees healthy isn’t just about looks; it can increase your property’s safety as well, protecting your home and family from the dangers of unhealthy trees. It may be the season to hunker down against the cold, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your trees. Taking the time to give them a little extra care before winter sets in can give them the strength they need to thrive when spring returns.Baker Tree Services has helped Western Maryland residents and business owners keep their trees healthy and happy since 2003, and we’re dedicated to bringing you the best service every time. Give us a call today to get started with a free, no-obligation evaluation.