6 Essential Tips for Winter Tree Pruning in Edmonton

One of the questions most commonly asked of certified Arborist Mike Burge of Arbor Man Tree Care is, “When is the best time to prune trees?”

Edmonton has a unique climate, and a lot of the guides out there do not take into account our “special” winters! Edmonton’s trees have to be hardier than their southern cousins due to our extreme climate fluctuations. Because of how short our growing season is, you want to allow as much time for trees to flourish during the warmer weather.

Let’s get to the winter tree pruning tips.

Prune at the right time for your trees
Use the right tools
Check for disease
Should I use a pruning sealer
Consult an expert

1. Prune at the right time of the year

Pruning at the right time is critical to the health of your trees! Make sure to prune only after the tree or shrub is dormant. If you prune too early, the incisions can dry out when the temperature dips. Pruning in the winter stimulates growth.

2. Use the Right Tools

By using the correct tools, you can minimize the trauma inflicted on the tree by pruning. Sharp well maintained tools such as:

Pruning shears
Lopping shears
Pole pruners
Hedge shears
Pruning saws
Fan or leaf rake
Bow or hard rake
Pitch Fork.

These are the tools that any certified arborist begins with when it comes to pruning.

3. Check for Disease

Once all the foliage has fallen from your tree, it is much easier to see the tree’s structure. Your pruning should involve inspecting for disease and excising any diseased branches. Some signs of tree disease include:

Bark abnormalities
Decay
Dead branches
Leaf discoloration
Poor architecture

You can save many trees from tree disease with judicious pruning at the right time.

4. Should I Use a Pruning Sealer?

Should I use a pruning sealer? The answer is always no.

They reduce the trees’ ability to heal when the growing season begins. Because we are pruning in winter, the tree is already dormant.

5. Consult an Expert

Pruning can be a complicated project, especially when dealing with mature or fruit trees. Expert advice can help even with the smallest of jobs. If you have ever tried pruning a tree without guidance, most people will find they damage their trees. Over pruning can seriously harm your tree.

For large trees, large projects or fruit trees, it would be wise to call a Certified Arborist. These kinds of jobs have the potential to go sideways, and it is not worth the risk. An expert will give you the comfort of knowing the job is done by a professional.

Final Thoughts

We have given you a few tips when it comes to pruning your trees in Edmonton. For small jobs and DIY inclined people, there are additional guides you can consult to get even more specific instructions. Call a Certified Arborist for larger jobs or more complicated trees.

Did you enjoy these 6 Essential Tips for Winter Tree Pruning in Edmonton?

Try one of these posts next!