Dormant Season Pruning, Removal, Cable Bracing

You may have received a proposal from your Certified Arborist Associate, giving you the option of performing the work proposed during the winter months when trees are dormant. Dormant season services afford you the advantage of discounted costs. Kramer Tree Specialists offers you this option of performing your tree care during the dormant season for some of the following reasons:

Pruning:

Oak and American Elm Trees should only be pruned during the dormant season due to the risk of exposing the trees to Oak Wilt and Dutch elm disease vectors. In most instances it is not possible to prune the deadwood from the trees without exposing some live tissue, therefore deadwood should only be removed in the dormant season, not in the spring or summer months when trees are actively growing. There is always an exception to the rule. A limb that has broken or died during the growing season, and is considered a hazard, should be removed sealing the cut with an insecticide to help protect the tree from infection.

Dormant Season Pruning has its advantages for both shade and ornamental trees. Dormancy refers to the time after the leaves have fallen in the fall, and before the new leaves emerge in the spring. The benefits provided by performing pruning operations during this period include less disruption at a time when the yard is less intensely used. Further, because the ground is firm and perennials are dormant (minimum impact on gardens that may be beneath the trees), work can proceed more efficiently – a saving of both time and money.

Trees respond to dormant pruning with a consistent growth response. Moreover, dormant pruning is a stimulating process/ Pruning wounds often close faster when made in the winter than those made in the summer. Also, there is less disease and insect presence during the biologically quiet dormant season. Proper pruning of trees enhances storm resilience as well, whether the storm threat is from ice damage or from high winds.

Finally, because the foliage is not in the way, pruning during the dormant season allow our arborists to more quickly evaluate the structure of the tree and identify any needed modification. Efficiency is increased because the limbs weigh less and are more easily handled without the weight of the foliage.

Lastly, the most frequently asked question of us when recommending Dormant Season pruning is, “how can you tell if a limb is dead when there are no leaves on the tree?”

Here is the answer: All trees form their buds for the following growing season in the summer months. These buds stay relatively green in the dormant season and dead buds will be dark brown to black in color in the winter months. Further live buds will be swollen from continuing development. Dead buds will have arrested in development and will appear smaller/stunted in size. To a trained, seasoned arborist, the difference is apparent.

We hope you will take advantage of our dormant season discount offer so not only will your trees reap the benefits of dormant pruning, but your budget will as well!

Obviously, year-round employment is a requisite for all of us. Mortgage, rent, auto loan, tuition payments all fail to recognize nature’s seasonality. Accordingly, KTS needs to provide work year-round work for our talented and loyal field crew arborists as well as our mechanics, Certified Arborist representatives, etc. (And no, we do not “close and go to Florida in the winter!”) The company’s financial obligations also need to be met year-round!

Tree Removal / Cable Bracing Systems:

For many of the same operational reasons listed for pruning, removal and cable bracing services can also be performed more efficiently and safely in the winter months. KTS has set the precedent for leaving a job site clean. Again, with out leaves on the trees, less time is spent on raking. The savings of time spent on a job equates to a dormant season discount for our clients.

Winter is the most cost effective time of the year to remove that unsightly and possibly hazardous dead/declining tree in your yard.

Call our office today for a dormant season discount proposal regarding tree removal, pruning or installation of cable bracing systems.

If you have a question or comment