Professional Arborists in Leesburg, VA

Our trees need care to prepare for colder months. "While your trees seem to be in a state of hibernation in the winter, exposure to the tough conditions can cause them major stress," says Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). "Minimize stress by helping your trees through the cold months, a little at a time. If you take care of your trees in the winter, you'll be rewarded in the spring." ISA recommends the following tips for preparing trees for colder weather: Prune your trees. Fall is a great time to prune your trees. Not only are trees dormant in the colder months, but it is also easier to see a tree's structure when there are no leaves on the branches. "Proper pruning is vital to the health of trees and plants, in part because it helps relieve stress on trees and keeps them growing," says Skiera. "Just be aware that each tree is different, and pruning at the wrong time or the wrong way can injure a tree making it more susceptible." Prevent mechanical injuries. Branch breakage or splitting can be caused by ice and snow. You may prevent problems by proper trimming and removing dead and unwanted limbs.