Winter Tree Safety Tips

As the weather gets colder, most people are thinking about holiday gatherings – staying cozy indoors and spending time with family and friends. For many, the only tree on their mind is the one with the gifts beneath it – but it’s important to remember the ones outside as well.

Winter can be a hazardous time for trees. Between high winds and snow and ice, trees can easily be damaged by cold weather – especially if they’re weakened, unbalanced, sick, or dead. Limbs or entire trees can fall, causing property damage or serious injury. To keep your yard safe and healthy during the harsh Eastern Massachusetts winter, count on Tree Tech, Inc.

If you’re experiencing a tree-related emergency, such as fallen limbs or an entire fallen tree, call us right away. We’re available 24/7 for emergency tree services.

The Importance of Winter Tree Safety

Trimming your trees isn’t just about looks – though that is a nice bonus. Keeping your trees in good shape for the coldest season comes with safety benefits as well – for your trees, your property, and your friends and family.

Safety From Property Damage and Personal Harm

Trees are beautiful, but it’s important to remember that they can also be very dangerous if not properly maintained. Dead, sick, or infested tree limbs will weaken the rest of the tree, which makes limbs – or the tree itself – more likely to break or fall. The worst part is that the tree might look perfectly fine to the untrained eye, so you may not know there is a problem until it’s too late.

The best way to stay on top of your tree’s health is to have a skilled professional assess your trees before the wild weather sets in. This could save you from costly damage and potential injury if the tree were to fall.

Keep Your Trees Healthy

As we mentioned, a checkup from a pro is great for the tree’s overall health as well! Trees become dormant during winter, which means that trimming and pruning will cause the trees less stress (yes, trees can get stressed too!) and protect them from diseases and pests that might have struck in warmer weather. This will give them a head start when the growing season returns.

Trimming away weakened limbs can also restore balance to the rest of the tree, reducing the likelihood of your tree tipping and potentially falling.

Why Choose Winter for Tree Assessment?

Winter could be the ideal season for a tree inspection. It may seem counterintuitive; nobody is thinking about their plants during the winter. But in fact, there are a number of reasons to choose winter for any tree work that needs doing.

Structural Issues Are Easier to Spot

Most trees (all but evergreens) lose their foliage during the winter, which makes it easier for an arborist to inspect the structure. This makes it easier to spot signs of decay, disease, or pest infestation, which in turn makes it easier to decide what needs to be done for the tree’s health.

Minimal Stress for Trees

As we mentioned earlier, trees experience stress! But, since they’re dormant during the winter to store up their energy for springtime, trees will experience less stress if pruned during the winter. Just like in people, stress reduces a tree’s overall health. Minimizing stress is critical for a tree’s continued health. Since pests are also much less active during the winter, they won’t be able to infest any cuts made by an arborist.

How Does Professional Tree Assessment Work?

Tree assessments are generally a visual assessment of the tree’s health and balance. Here’s what our team will look for:

• Cracked, split, or otherwise damaged trunks or branches.
• Signs of disease or pests.
• Issues with roots, including decay and weak anchoring. Other issues, like poor growth and overall decline in tree health, can stem from root issues.

If we notice anything that needs attention, we’ll recommend the best solution – whether it’s pruning, cabling, or another method. We want to protect your tree’s health and the safety of you and your property.

How You Can Help Keep Your Trees Healthy

Professional attention is essential to your tree’s continued health, but there are a few things you can do to help your trees stay healthy between checkups.

• Keep an eye on your tree! Look for peeling bark, sap leaks, and other signs of damage.
• If you see any dead limbs, let your tree care team know as soon as possible.
• Make sure to pay attention to your tree’s roots too! Keep them free of debris and be sure not to drive over them.

If you notice anything unusual about your tree – regardless of the time of year – call the Tree Tech, Inc. team for an honest appraisal and high-quality service.

Count on Tree Tech, Inc. to Keep Your Trees Healthy

Caring for your trees is important for their continued health and beauty. On top of that, it protects your property from potential tree-related damage. So as we all settle in for a happy holiday season, take a moment to consider your trees as well. Giving them the gift of a little extra care this holiday season will make sure they come back stronger than ever when spring rolls around again. The Tree Tech, Inc. team has helped home and business owners in Eastern Massachusetts keep their trees healthy and beautiful since 1986, and we’re eager to put that skill to work for you.

So, if you’re ready to give your trees a boost for the next growing season, don’t hesitate to give us a call today! We’ll get you set up with a free estimate for whatever you need done.