In this piece on my blog, They investigate the subject of whether or not arborists continue to work throughout the winter months. Despite the fact that some people may be under the impression that they are not, it is essential to keep in mind that there are a number of responsibilities that must be fulfilled during the winter season.
Arborists have a window of opportunity during the winter months to conduct tree inspections and prune away potentially hazardous branches before the problems become more severe. This is especially important to keep in mind if you reside in an area where heavy snowfall might bring about the collapse or breaking of trees due to the weight of the snow. Even if it is possible that an arborist will not pay a visit to your property during the colder months due to the sheer volume of work that they have to complete, you shouldn't count them out just yet. See our list of available arborist services Perth for your tree removal solutions.
In point of fact, during this time of year, they frequently engage in activities designed to ensure that trees maintain their health and safety. However, the work that they do during the colder months of the year will be different from the job that they do during the warmer months of the year.
For instance, an arborist may need to perform additional inspections on trees that have been damaged by weather conditions such as ice storms and heavy winds rather than removing a tree from a residence or place of business as they might do during the warmer months because the tree is causing damage to structures or other plants that grow beneath it. This is because the tree is causing damage to the structures or other plants that grow beneath the tree.
They will also probably remove branches from large trees that break off due to the weather in order to ensure that individuals do not walk beneath them when doing things like walking down sidewalks.
Why Winter Is A Good Time For Tree Work!
Now that the leaves have fallen off the trees and snow is beginning to blanket the ground, many individuals are not giving their trees as much thought as they did previously. On the other hand, we would like to make sure you are aware that the winter is an excellent season to work on trees.
The months of April through December are traditionally the busiest months for the tree care sector; however, many sorts of tree service are best performed during the winter months. Working in the cold weather is something that we arborists look forwards to. The snow is spectacular, and the insulation that our chainsaw pants provide helps us stay warm despite the chilly temperature.
Types Of Tree Work Ideal For Winter
Removals – During removals, there is less of an impact on the lawns and gardens that surround the trees that are being cut down because the ground is frozen. Trees that are in the process of dying from a disease, such as the Emerald Ash Borer, are excellent candidates for removal over the winter months. This will prevent them from becoming a hazard in the spring, when you will want to spend time outside in your garden. If you have been thinking of chopping down a tree in your backyard, you should know that the winter months are typically the greatest time to have the job done.
Forest work –Work in the forest, such as thinning plantations and clearing trails, is ideally suited for the winter months. When the ground is frozen, the forest floor is less likely to be damaged than it would be otherwise. It is less likely that ruts will be created when logs are extracted from the forest with the assistance of machines. Work that is done in the winter can also ensure that wildlife such as birds and small mammals will not be disturbed by work during the nesting season because it is done in the winter.
Pruning – To get the most out of your tree's potential, perform some basic trimming and shaping during its dormant season. Pruning a tree while it is dormant enables the tree to more effectively direct its energy once spring arrives. After the coldest days of winter have passed, you should be finished with your winter pruning, and things are starting to warm up again. When the temperature rises and the sap begins to flow, certain tree species, such as maples, walnuts, and birches, may bleed when they are pruned. In most cases, this is not hazardous, and it will stop happening once the tree begins to leaf out.
If a tree shown symptoms of stress or disease during the previous growing season, or if the tree's development was not very robust, it is probably best to wait until the tree is just about to leaf out to perform any major pruning on the tree. Sometimes, even though the tree is stressed, you may still want to prune it in the winter even if there is a risk of the tree being damaged in severe weather due to structural issues or previous storm damage. In this case, you may want to prune it because there is a risk of the tree being damaged in severe weather due to structural issues or previous storm damage.
Access Through Snow
Depending on how easy it is to get into the yard, certain tree-related tasks are better suited for the winter. For instance, when there is snow on the ground, the use of sleds makes it easier for us to transport wood around. However, in certain circumstances, we may ask customers to clear a route to the tree for us if there has been a significant amount of snow.
Winter Storm Damage – Preventing/Restoring
Pruning may be necessary for trees that are overgrown, have a weak structure, or have been previously damaged in storms. This is done in order to protect the tree from failing due to the severe weather that occurs throughout the winter.
Since the trees do not have leaves throughout the winter months, it is simple to observe the tree's underlying structure and determine how best to prune it. Regular preventative maintenance can lessen the likelihood of a breakdown occuring while extreme weather is present. It is never too soon to begin taking care of the trees on your property.
We always say that pruning a tree before a storm damages it is the most effective way to prevent failure, but if severe weather causes a branch to fail or leaves hanging branches in the crown, it is best to deal with it immediately in order to avoid further damage or the risk of injury from falling debris. When severe weather causes a branch to fail or leaves hanging branches in the crown, it is best to deal with it immediately in order to avoid further damage or the risk of injury from falling debris.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a lot of individuals who ask if they need to employ an arborist if they have trees on their property. Arborists are specialists in the field of tree care who have the education and expertise necessary to care for trees properly. Even while you are more than capable of taking care of your trees on your own, there are several compelling reasons why you should consider hiring a serious arborist.
To begin, arborists are trained professionals who possess the knowledge and abilities necessary to prune and shape trees in a manner that is both secure and advantageous for the tree. Second, they can offer you valuable information on the health of your tree and make suggestions regarding how to ensure that it continues to be healthy.
Being passionate about trees is necessary, but being an arborist requires more than that. It would be to your advantage if you were physically strong and in good form because the job includes a lot of climbing and lifting. If you are interested in this position, click here. It would be to your advantage if you were also used to working in situations that required you to be elevated.
Solid hand-eye coordination is required, as is the ability to operate power tools like chainsaws and pruners in a way that is efficient and secure. Finally, arborists need to have a strong understanding of trees' biology to provide correct care for trees and recognise the early warning signs of illness.
In addition, arborists need to have great communication skills because they usually work together with customers to develop care plans for the customers' trees.
Lastly, arborists are expected to be independent employees who can take responsibility not only for their safety but also for the safety of those in their immediate vicinity. If you are in possession of these skills, then you will be well on your way to having a successful career as an arborist.
People who specialise in working with trees are called arborists. It's possible that they'll be in charge of chopping down, trimming, or planting trees. Some precautions can be taken to reduce the dangers associated with an arborist's work, despite the fact that the job itself can be hazardous.
Wearing the appropriate protective gear is one of the essential things that arborists can do for themselves and their clients.
This includes things like protective clothes, goggles, and gloves, among other things. Additionally, arborists should be well-versed in the most up-to-date safety practices, methods, and techniques. When working with trees, it is important for arborists to take certain safety measures so that they can reduce their risk of injury.
A consulting arborist is someone that people can employ to offer them expert advice about trees. They do this by providing consultation services. This can include information on choosing trees, planting them, or caring for them.
Consulting arborists also have the ability to deliver expert testimony in judicial proceedings concerning trees. A person must first get a degree in arboriculture or a field closely linked to it to work as an arborist consultant.
There are a lot of arborists that offer consultancy services and are also certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. Those who seek to deliver expert witnesses in court are required to additionally receive training in the procedures that are followed in the legal system. Consulting arborists play a vital part in assisting people in making educated decisions regarding trees by providing them with information.
The technique of pruning and removing trees is referred to as "tree surgery" or "arborist." It is a tradition that has been around for generations, and many benefits are associated with it for people, property, and the environment.
Taking the example of removing ugly or overgrown branches from your property, tree surgery can help improve the overall aesthetic of your property.
In addition to this, it has the ability to raise the value of your property by making it more appealing to prospective purchasers. In addition to this benefit, tree surgery can lessen the likelihood of branches or trees falling and causing harm to your property.
Last but not least, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is another way that tree surgery can contribute to protecting the environment.
Seasonal Transitions And Winter Tree Work
Due to the fact that trees are dormant during the winter, it is an ideal time to cut down or prune trees. However, the majority of trees can be pruned at any time of the year. However, during the winter months, homeowners typically do not give their trees much thought, primarily because they spend less time outside at this time of year.
During the months of winter, most people prefer to stay inside, thus tree work comes to a standstill. Due to the fact that we are located in an area that experiences all four seasons, the winter months are a slow time for our tree workers in the industry that we are a part of. This is especially true in the Northern region.
This essay will focus on three significant facets of tree service, all of which are important in their own right. The first one discusses the time of year when there is a transition between seasons in terms of tree-related accidents and the necessity of putting an emphasis on safety, particularly at this time of year.
The second step is to constantly make sure that tree workers are working in a safe and effective manner by taking the additional time that is required. The final aspect, which applies to both homeowners and people who make their living in the tree care industry, is that the winter months are ideal for doing tree services.
Because our arborists are less busy during the winter months, the tree men get a welcome reprieve from the strenuous work that is typical during this time of year. As fall turns into winter, it's not uncommon for people to move from working 50–60 hour work weeks to working only 20–30 hours per week instead. Since 1975, both our company and our employees have been going through this very transformation, and as a result, we are extremely familiar with it.
We have found over the years that scheduling and job-related problems can be prominent during the slack times. We believe that this is mainly due to the fact that our team gets out of sync with the hectic season. Nevertheless, when our arborists are in their stride during the busiest months of the year, which typically run from March through October, they have the routine completely mastered.
We cannot say for certain that problems are more likely to arise during times of transition, but our experience has shown us that this is generally the case. This does not imply that there is a correlation between the rate of activity and the frequency of accidents; in fact, it is likely that the opposite is true. Moving on from the colder months of winter into the warmer months of spring and getting back into the routine of long hours at work.
Because safety must always come first, it is essential to keep holding safety meetings on a weekly basis all during the winter months, and in particular during the weeks leading up to the busy season when things are just starting to get up again.
As a result of this, holding safety meetings on a weekly basis is something that should also be considered quite vital. We have discovered that this has unquestionably made a difference in our approach of beginning each workweek with a "safety first" mindset. This is something that we found to be the case.
It is a good idea to step up the amount of time spent talking about and meeting about safety during transitional periods between seasons. When it comes to addressing issues regarding workplace safety, we have discovered that even a brief toolbox lecture delivered in conjunction with the weekly safety meetings can go a long way. In addition, it is essential to emphasise the significance of taking a few additional minutes to think things through before beginning work on a tree or while working on a tree; this practise can prevent major injuries or damages.
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This practise is extremely helpful in dangerous or urgent situations; for instance, if a tree is perilously perched on the roof of the house, or if the position of the tree prevents traditional procedures with riggings and cranes from being effective. The members of our staff have recently handled a few of these problems on the job, and they are able to attest to the fact that the additional time that was taken was unquestionably required to reach a successful solution.
We have a method that we have been employing for many years to educate our customers that they should wait until the winter months to have the tree removed from their property. There are some removals that must be done immediately, especially if they pose a threat to people's safety, but there are also numerous removals that may wait. The homeowner obtains additional discounts because winter is a slower time of year, and at the same time, it provides more work for our firm throughout the winter months. This arrangement is certainly a win-win situation for both the homeowner and our business.
This is a wonderful perk that can be offered to consumers, and in many cases, offering them this perk is what leads to us getting the work. Homeowners are ecstatic about this concept, and it's hard to imagine a tree service that wouldn't welcome additional business during the colder months. Performing work on trees during the winter is beneficial for a number of other reasons as well, including the following:
- There are not any landscaping businesses or spring cleaning employees that are blocking the road.
- Because the ground is frequently frozen, there is significantly less yard damage.
- The absence of leaves on the trees reduces the amount of work that needs to be done.
- Trees are dormant
To summarise, we have come to the conclusion that there is an increased demand for preparation and safety measures prior to performing work on trees, particularly during the transitional seasons. Spending a little bit more time on a task can make all the difference in whether or not the task is completed without causing any injuries or property damage as a result. In addition, the majority of tree work requires the worker to make snap judgments while the activity is in progress.
The difference between accomplishing a task successfully and falling short of the mark can be as small as a handful of extra minutes spent preparing before and during the task. Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that adopting a mindset that prioritises safety, particularly while moving into or out of a transitional season, is an absolute must.
In the dangerous line of work that we do, being prepared and devoting more time to tasks can make all the difference. And finally, for all of the very good reasons that have been given, the winter is an excellent season to work on trees. Please make sure that you take the required time to assure safety, that you are aware of the additional safety precautions that need to be taken during transitional seasons, and that you stay safe while you are out there!
Reasons To Hire An Arborist During Winter
Your backyard may go through some challenging times over the winter. Because the leaves on your trees are falling off, you could believe that now is the ideal time to prune and trim your own tree. To prune your tree, however, demands a far higher level of experience than you might initially imagine.
Trained And Experienced
You could believe that trees are straightforward and uncomplicated, but in reality, trees can provide a full array of different challenges and predicaments. Those who are untrained or lack experience in the field of tree care have a greater chance of being unprepared for a particular scenario or of failing to recognise a problem that is staring them in the face. This is because there is a high probability that they will not know how to deal with the situation.
When you hire an arborist, you ensure that the skill and expertise of a seasoned expert will be applied to the care of your trees. For instance, your tree can be susceptible to particular issues or dangers that are exacerbated throughout the winter season. Alternatively, your trees might be early bloomers that require additional or earlier care and attention. Having an understanding of these details can be the difference between a tree that makes it through the winter and one that does not.
Winter Health
The colder months have an effect on trees in much the same way as they have an effect on bears and other large creatures, such as when they hibernate. Dormancy typically sets in during this time of year for the vast majority of tree species.
During the winter months, when there is less sunlight and less nutrients in the soil, trees can keep themselves alive through a process called dormancy. Dormancy, on the other hand, causes a slowdown in all of a tree's operations, including consumption of energy, metabolism, and growth, amongst others. This is the reason why trees lose their leaves throughout the wintertime; since they are not producing any food for themselves, they do not require leaves that require a lot of energy to maintain.
This indicates that the optimal time to prune your tree is while it is dormant during the winter season. When cuts are made in the bark of a dormant tree, the tree is not as susceptible to infection from illnesses and infestation from insects. Because of this, arborists are now in a better position to safely prune a tree in its entirety, eliminating the risk of leaving any section of the tree vulnerable to insect attack while doing so.
Prepare For Spring
One more advantage of performing pruning in the winter? It's the perfect moment to give your tree a new look and a new form! It will be much simpler for you to handle and keep an eye on your trees once their leaves have fallen off throughout the winter months.
Dormant is the best time of year for a professional arborist to examine your tree in order to identify any existing flaws, as well as any branches that appear abnormal or are growing in the wrong direction. You may make sure that your tree is on track to develop in a manner that is pleasing to the eye and healthy by the time spring arrives if you perform extensive tree pruning while it is winter.
Tip: During the wintertime, the rest of your garden will be less sensitive to the foot traffic of arborists, making this the absolutely ideal time to plan your tree cutting.
Safety And Maintenance
The winter months are known to bring about strange weather patterns. Strong storms can be hard on your trees, and as a result, huge and overhanging branches may become even more hazardous than they normally are.
The removal of these branches is necessary in order to avert a potentially catastrophic event. A single storm, for instance, could change your branches into impediments in the driveway and sidewalk or possibly cause significant property damage to your home and the area around it. If you are not careful with the branches on your property, you run the risk of bringing down electrical lines.
Timing And Expertise
The requirements for individual tree species can vary greatly. For instance, before cutting and pruning (early bloomers); other trees wind up seeping sap if they are clipped too late in the winter season. Some trees require before trimming and pruning (early bloomers).
There are many distinct ways in which various species of trees might react to certain times of the year, and knowing how these differences manifest themselves is essential to pruning your trees in the most effective manner. If you are confused about the best method to manage the trees on your property, it is in your best interest to recruit an arborist to work with you on your team. Arborists have the necessary experience as well as extensive information regarding time and other factors.
Tree Care Over The Winter Months
If you pay little attention to the state of your trees' health throughout the extended winter months, you will destroy any chance they have of achieving healthy development throughout the remaining months of the year. Providing your trees with proper care during the winter helps them remain healthy throughout the season, shields them from the adverse effects of the weather, and positions them to achieve the greatest level of success during the warmer months.
This article will walk you through the best practises for caring for your trees during the colder months of the year. We look at the reasons why winter is a fantastic time to be on top of tree maintenance, and we also explore the hidden benefits of taking action while most people are in their winter slumber.
The Winter Cut
The winter season is an excellent opportunity to get ahead of the trimming plan for your trees. It is essential to maintain a regular pruning programme in order to keep your tree healthy, happy, and vibrant so that it can continue to grow strong. However, with the arrival of the cold weather, a lot of individuals forget about this responsibility. According to the arborists we have on staff, performing winter pruning actually offers a lot of advantages, including the following:
Precision Pruning
To begin, since there isn't as much extra foliage around, it's a lot simpler to be exact and accurate while you're doing the pruning. Due to the absence of leaves, it is easier to recognise healthy branch structures. This makes it possible for a tree surgeon to travel the tree more effectively and evaluate whether parts of the tree should be trimmed, lopped, or left alone.
Reduce Risk
Both pruning and lopping during the winter months are effective techniques to lessen risk. The process begins by removing dead and dying branches, which, in the event of severe winds or storms, could endanger people's lives. Second, when you prune your trees and plants in the winter, there is a lower risk of attracting insects that carry diseases, bacteria, or fungi that can make life a living hell for your plants and trees. As a result, performing tree trimming in the winter can assist to make both you and your trees safer.
Promote Growth
When compared to trimming your trees at other times of the year, doing so during the months with the lowest average temperatures places less stress on the tree. If you stay on top of your tree maintenance during the winter, the tree will have time to recuperate and start growing before the sun comes out and spring flowers begin to appear. This article will help you make a decision about tree stumping and removal. Here at Tree Amigo, we’re passionate about trees!
In addition, if you prune throughout the winter, you can eliminate the shade from your land, which will allow more sunshine to reach the plants that you have elsewhere on your property. This can help the rest of your garden survive the colder winter and get ready for the months when it will be lucrative.
The Cost of Frost
Even though there are a number of benefits to pruning during the winter, it is essential to have procedures in place to safeguard your trees from the extreme cold. Our trained arborists have a great deal of experience shielding trees from the adverse effects of the environment. Their best advice is as follows:
Protect The Weak
Prepare any young saplings, trees that are still immature, or plants that are kept in containers for the upcoming frost. The branches, leaves, and core of your tree can sustain significant harm if temperatures drop below freezing, which hinders the tree's capacity to thrive and ward off illness. Protect these by taking them inside for the night if you can, or by covering them with sheets or tarps to the ground so that the warmth is trapped while they are outside.
Mulch
The moisture content of the soil as well as its temperature can be more easily controlled with the application of mulch. To ensure that your trees are able to maintain a comfortable temperature even during the month's chilliest days, mulch their bases and root systems with a layer of new wood chips measuring between 5 and 10 centimetres thick.
Keep The Fluids Up
Maintain a regular watering schedule for your trees throughout the winter, especially if there has been little or no precipitation. It is recommended to water young seedlings once every week or two, while more established trees should only need watering once every month or two.