Plant Health Care
Winter Tree Pruning: A Guide for West Bloomfield Residents
| Feb 08, 2025
Tree Trimming Winter Bucket Truck
Winter offers a unique opportunity for homeowners in West Bloomfield to care for their trees during the dormant season. Tree pruning during these cold months provides numerous benefits for tree health and landscape maintenance.
Why Winter Pruning Makes Sense
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommends pruning certain tree species, like oak and elm, between November and March, when trees are dormant and sap is not flowing.
Three top benefits of winter tree pruning include:
• Improved Tree Visibility: Leafless branches make it easier to assess tree structure and identify problem areas.
• Reduced Disease Risk: Cold temperatures minimize the potential for infection from insect-borne diseases like oak wilt or Dutch elm disease.
• Minimal Tree Stress: Dormant pruning prevents stimulating unwanted new growth that could be damaged by cold weather.
Tree Pruning Techniques for Success
Local tree care experts like Owen Tree Service use the following key tree pruning guidelines:
• Use proper tools: hand pruners, loppers, chainsaws and handsaws
• Make clean pruning cuts, guided by the location of the branch bark ridge
• Remove no more than 25% of the tree in a single season
• Use the three-cut method for removing larger branches to prevent damage
Local Expertise
West Bloomfield is one of the many cities that Owen Tree Service has been taking care of for over 40 years. As the first tree service in the nation to receive Tree Care Industry Association accreditation, the knowledge and experience of Owen Tree Service is well-established. By calling Owen Tree Service, West Bloomfield residents can ensure they will have healthier, more vibrant trees that will thrive come spring.