Think winter is too cold for tree work? Think again. While summer and fall tend to be our busiest seasons here at LAM Tree, winter is actually the ideal time for tree pruning and removal in Colorado.
In fact, the Colorado State Forest Service recommends winter maintenance for many of our local tree species. While we do offer additional winter services like hanging holiday lights and removing snow, we’re still fully focused on providing professional tree care, too.
If you haven’t had a chance to tackle your tree work yet this year, you’re in luck – winter can be the perfect time to get it done.
Key Takeaways
- Winter’s bare branches make it easier to spot potential problems and plan safe, effective tree work.
- Cold temperatures prevent pest infestations and diseases from spread, giving trees time to heal before spring.
- The frozen ground means heavy equipment won’t damage your landscape during tree removal or pruning.
- Winter offers easier scheduling and more flexible appointment times because it’s our slower season.
6 Reasons Why Winter Is the Best Time for Tree Pruning and Removal
Winter isn’t typically when people think about tree care, but it’s one of the best times to focus on your trees. With the quiet of the season, there’s a unique opportunity to handle pruning and removal with minimal hassle – and the advantages might surprise you.
1. Leafless Trees are Easier to Inspect
Winter’s bare branches give arborists a major advantage when it comes to evaluating trees. When deciduous trees drop their leaves and enter dormancy, we can see exactly what we’re working with. This clear view of the tree’s structure makes it much easier to:
- Spot potential hazards like dead or diseased branches
- Assess the tree’s overall structural health
- Identify any compromised limbs that could fail under snow load
- Plan the safest, most efficient approach to pruning or tree removal
This improved visibility doesn’t just make our job easier – it leads to better results for you and your trees. Without leaves blocking our view, we can be more precise with our cuts and ensure we’re addressing all potential issues. This thorough assessment also helps us determine if a tree truly needs to be removed or if strategic pruning can solve the problem instead.
And as one last benefit, these leafless trees make our job a bit quicker. So, in many cases, pruning and removal jobs are completed in less time, which is a bonus for both you and our team.
2. Cold Weather Means Less Pest and Disease Activity
The cold Colorado winter does more than just make trees go dormant – it stops most pests and diseases in their tracks, too. When we prune trees in winter, there’s much less risk of attracting harmful insects like mountain pine beetles or spreading diseases like fire blight. The freezing temperatures mean these threats are either dormant or can’t survive.
Winter tree pruning also gives pruning cuts a chance to start healing before spring arrives. By the time warmer weather returns and pests become active again, the tree will have already begun to seal off the pruned areas, making them much less vulnerable to infestation or infection.
3. Frozen Ground Protects Your Landscape
One of the biggest concerns we hear from homeowners is about damage to their yard during tree work. But here in Colorado, the frozen ground during winter puts these concerns to rest. When the soil freezes, it creates a stable surface that can handle heavy equipment without tearing up your lawn or creating a ton of depressions in your landscape.
Even though we always use protective mats and take care to minimize potential impact on your property year-round, the frozen winter ground adds an extra layer of protection. Plus, since most other plants in your yard are dormant during winter, there’s very little risk of accidentally damaging nearby landscaping during the removal process.
This is especially helpful for large tree removals that require cranes or other heavy equipment. Rather than leaving ruts or compacting your soil, we can complete the job with minimal impact on your yard. Once spring arrives, you won’t even be able to tell we were there.
4. Winter Pruning Is Less Stressful for Trees
Winter pruning is actually less stressful for your trees. Since they’re dormant, they won’t try to put out new growth right away that could be damaged by the snow and cold temperatures. This is particularly important for trees like maple, birch, and aspen that tend to bleed sap heavily when pruned in warmer weather.
Winter pruning also lets us work with the tree’s natural cycle. Without leaves to feed, the tree directs more energy to healing the pruning wounds and strengthening its overall structure. By the time spring arrives, the tree will be ready to put its energy into healthy new growth.
Let them bloom! If you have spring flowering trees or shrubs, you might want to wait until after they bloom to prune them. Winter pruning will remove the flower buds, which means you’ll miss out on their spring display.
5. Open Schedules Make Winter Tree Care Hassle-Free
Homeowners along the Front Range often focus on tree care during the spring, summer, and fall. As a result, those seasons quickly fill up with appointments, leaving little flexibility for scheduling.
Winter, however, is a different story. With fewer bookings, it’s much easier to find a time that works perfectly for you – no long waits, no hassle.
6. Winter Pruning Protects Against Storm Damage
Winters for those of us in the Denver foothills can bring heavy snow and strong winds. Removing dead, weak, or damaged branches (or sometimes entire trees) before winter storms hit can prevent them from falling and causing damage to your property. It’s much better to remove problematic branches or trees in a controlled way than to wait for them to come crashing down during a storm.
When branches get weighed down by snow and ice, even seemingly healthy limbs can snap under the added weight. By proactively pruning and thinning the canopy, we can reduce this risk and help your trees better withstand winter weather. Not only does this protect your property, but it also helps rejuvenate the tree, making the entire plant healthier and stronger.
This is especially important for trees close to your home or driveway, that can cause costly damage or put your family at risk if they fail.
When Tree Work Isn’t Safe in Winter
While winter is great for tree work, there are some conditions when we need to pause for safety. When temperatures are well below freezing, pruning can harm your trees, so we’ll reschedule for a warmer day. We also avoid working during active snowfall or when trees are covered in ice, as these conditions make it dangerous for our crew.
Some other situations when we’ll need to postpone work include:
- During or immediately after an ice storm
- When high winds are present
- If branches are heavily loaded with snow (we’ll wait for it to melt)
- When visibility is too poor to work safely
Colorado sees more than 300 days a year of sunshine. This means there are plenty of mild, sunny days that are ideal for safely performing tree pruning and removal. We’ll work with you to schedule your service during the best possible conditions to ensure great results for your trees.
And if severe weather causes any delays, we’ll return promptly to complete your project without unnecessary downtime. Winter in Colorado provides the perfect balance of safety, efficiency, and sunshine for tree care.
When to Wait for Spring
Winter can be a great time for pruning and removals, but it isn’t always the best time for certain types of tree work. Sometimes it makes more sense to wait for warmer weather, especially if you need to:
- Reduce the size of overgrown trees or shrubs
- Clear branches that are blocking your view
- Address issues that are hard to spot without leaves
- Improve air circulation in the canopy
- Update the overall look of your landscape
- Tackle pest and disease problems
These types of pruning often require us to see how the tree looks with its full canopy, which means waiting until spring or summer when leaves are present.
FAQs About Winter Pruning and Tree Removals
Can you remove stumps in winter?
Yes, as long as the ground isn’t frozen too deeply. We’ll assess conditions on your property to determine if stump grinding is possible.
Will pruning harm my trees in winter?
No, winter pruning is actually beneficial for most trees. The only exception is spring flowering trees, which should be pruned after they bloom if you want to enjoy their flowers.
What if it snows during scheduled work?
We carefully monitor weather conditions and will reschedule if snow or ice makes our working conditions unsafe. We’ll coordinate with you to find another suitable day.
Let LAM Tree Service Help with Your Winter Tree Care
You don’t need to wait until spring to take care of your trees. Our Certified Arborists at LAM Tree work year-round and can help determine if winter is the right time for your tree care needs. Plus, scheduling now means you’ll be ready to enjoy a safe, beautiful landscape when spring arrives.
Call us today at 303-674-8733 or use our online form to request your free estimate. Our team is ready to help with all your winter tree care needs in Evergreen and the surrounding communities.
