It's February, the days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger. Before your trees and shrubs wake up for their long awaited spring show, this is a great time to get out and check them all for damage due to winter weather and/or critters.
Removal of damaged branches can often prevent more damage from occurring either to the damaged tree or other trees and surroundings. The ground is frozen this time of year meaning less damage occurs from falling branches and/or their debris during the clean-up process. Consider a shade garden for instance. You certainly don't want to be out trying to tip toe thru the upcoming garden while doing needed pruning to your trees and shrubs.
Any diseased growth on trees could be removed now as well. Many diseases have less chance of spreading if removed during the colder months of the year. Be sure you know the disease you are dealing with and follow recommend procedures. For instance, there seemed to be perfect conditions last year for fire blight problems. It is still evident on many trees this winter, which is a good time to remove affected branches.
Many University sites have fact sheets and images on diseases and how to treat trees affected with them. A best practice when planting is to choose trees that are highly resistant to the disease your area may have problems with.
I found the life cycle information on fire blight below at one of the may University sites that provide such helpful data.
Pruning of trees and shrubs for shape is necessary less often if they have been planted in the 'right place'.
There are of course topiary, espaliers and fruit bearing trees that require pruning on a regular basis. It is important that pruning of these be done at the right time and using the right tools and methods. For instance, pruning of blueberry bushes is very different from pruning apple trees. Even when trees and shrubs are pruned to form particular shapes or rows, there is a correct technique to be used to provide optimum health for plants that are forced to grow in unnatural forms. There is a fun little animation tutorial on pruning provided by the Arbor Day Foundation. Take a couple of minutes and enjoy it at the link below.
There is an unfortunate tree in the back of my own property that snapped at the top third of its height during a recent wind storm. It is now lying semi-horizontally about 15 feet off the forest floor among several other trees which of course are stressed and possibly somewhat damaged by this event. Since these trees are not on my property but my neighbors I will alert them of the situation. This seems to be an 'out of site, out of mind' area to the owner, which is a shame, as this small woodland is shrinking from lack of proper care.
Arborist services should be considered for any work that you do not have the proper tools for and for large and dangerous situations. Large trees typically should be left for the pros as well as any treatments for infected trees. A Certified Arborist has had to attend educational classes and training and maintain their education each year, please use them, most damage done to trees is due to improper pruning. When looking for an arborist check their status and check their references. In the state of Massachusetts you can obtain information on current Mass Certified Arborists at the Listing Service for the Mass Arborists Association
If you are not sure how to do light pruning of your young and small trees bring in a consultant who can teach you or advise you. If you think you need a chain saw to prune your tree, you need a professional! A chain saw should only be used on a dead tree or a tree that is too large to handle by most homeowners.
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