Many people assume that the only tree care needed during fall and winter is damage control—and it’s easy to see why. Wind, snow, and ice can create hazardous conditions, leaving homeowners eager to remove dangerous limbs before they cause harm to houses or vehicles. Fallen trees can also block driveways, sidewalks, or streets, creating significant inconveniences.
While these are all excellent reasons to call a professional arborist, the truth is that cold weather is actually an ideal time to take a proactive approach to tree care, rather than only addressing damage after it occurs. Here’s why:
Benefits of Fall and Winter Tree Care
Tree Structure Visibility
Once the leaves have fallen, the structure of trees becomes much easier to see—even for the untrained eye. For professional arborists like us, this clarity makes it significantly easier to determine the best steps to keep your trees safe, healthy, and visually appealing. With bare branches, we can quickly identify hazardous limbs or areas showing signs of disease, allowing us to work more efficiently—saving you time and money in the long run.
Additionally, cold weather pruning can revitalize weaker trees, such as elms or poplars, by removing dead or diseased wood, giving them a fresh start for healthier growth.
Improved Appearance
The drawback of scheduling tree or shrub care in spring or summer is that it can leave your plants looking sparse and bare—right when you want them to look their best. By opting for the same care in fall or winter, however, your trees and shrubs have time to recover and naturally reestablish their growth patterns as spring progresses. This way, you can enjoy vibrant, healthy trees all summer long without enduring an “ugly duckling” phase.
Minimized Landscape Disruption
If you’ve ever scheduled tree service in the summer, you may have experienced the frustration of heavy trucks and machinery damaging your lawn and landscaping. Fortunately, the ground often freezes in winter. With frozen ground, we can use heavy equipment on your property without harming your yard or other features.
Reduced Risk of Disease and Pests
During the winter, trees enter a dormant phase—and so do the diseases, parasites, and bugs they may be hosting. This greatly reduces the risk of spreading pests or infections between trees during fall and winter tree care.
Additionally, pruning creates small “wounds” on a tree, but when done in cold weather before spring budding, these cuts heal more effectively. This minimizes the chance of infections or infestations from destructive insects or diseases, ensuring your trees stay healthy and thrive come spring.
Expert Tree Service Year Round
At Spokane Tree Pro, our team of certified arborists is equipped to provide expert tree care throughout the year. Whether addressing the specific needs of your trees during the dormant season or managing seasonal requirements in spring and summer, we are committed to maintaining the health and beauty of your landscape.
For professional tree care services tailored to each season’s unique demands, contact us today.