If pruning your trees is on your list of chores that need to be done around the home, it might be tempting to get it over and done with as soon as the leaves begin to fall. Although fall might seem to be the best time to prune trees, Hampton Roads Tree & Brush Removal wants you to know that it might be best to wait until winter. Waiting until the trees go dormant is best for the health of your tree, and there are several reasons why this is so.

Wounds Close Slowly

Every time you prune a tree, it creates a wound. Just as when we cut ourselves, an infection can enter through the wound and cause an illness. Trees slow down their growth in fall, and that means that wounds heal more slowly. This can create a greater chance for a fungal infection to enter and cause problems. Even though trees are dormant in the winter, wounds will close more quickly in spring.

Stimulates New Growth

Pruning in fall stimulates new growth. While this might sound like a good thing, new growth is more susceptible to damage from the cold. In Virginia Beach, the very cold winters can bring significant damage. If you prune in the fall, you will probably need to prune again in spring to remove any damage to new growth. This means twice the work. You’ll also need to worry about causing wounds to the tree more than one time.

Best to Wait Until Trees Are Dormant

If you must prune in the fall, it is best to wait until the trees are dormant. This means that you should wait until all the leaves have fallen. In Virginia Beach, VA, this can mean October or November. Another reason to wait until the trees are dormant is that it is easier to see what needs to be pruned. Late winter and early spring are the best times to prune evergreens because new growth will hide the damage from the cuts.

Remove Damaged or Dead Wood

There is one exception to the advice about fall trimming and pruning. It is always acceptable to remove any dead or diseased branches at any time. Damaged wood should be removed as soon as possible by an experienced arborist.

When it comes to pruning trees and bushes, this is one time when procrastination can pay off. You need to schedule pruning at a time that is best for your trees, and this means putting it off until late winter or spring. Contact Hampton Roads Tree and Brush Removal in Virginia Beach, VA, and we can give you advice on the best time to prune your trees and take care of any damaged or diseased branches as soon as possible.