Winter is a Great Time for Tree Pruning & Removal!
When it comes to maintaining your yard in the most efficient and healthiest way possible, we always recommend winter tree pruning and removal. Watch this video from NWI’s owner Matt Lennon and learn why winter tree pruning is optimal for your trees.
Matt’s Winter Tree Pruning Verdict
QUICK SUMMARY
“Winter isn’t just a time to wait for spring—it’s the best time to protect your landscape.” — Matt, Owner of NWI Tree Service.
For homeowners in the St. Croix Valley, Matt recommends winter tree pruning and removal because frozen ground provides a “natural armor” for your lawn, allowing us to use heavy equipment with zero impact. Additionally, dormant tree pruning is the only 100% safe way to prevent Oak Wilt in our local Minnesota and Wisconsin canopy.
Matt explains the unique advantages of winter tree pruning and tree removals on frozen ground in the St. Croix Valley.
Matt’s Top 3 Reasons to Work While the Ground is Frozen
1. Zero-Footprint Heavy Removals
As Matt highlights in the video, one of the biggest fears homeowners have is heavy equipment leaving ruts in their yard.
Matt’s Insight: When the ground is frozen solid (typically late December through early March), we can bring in our cranes and loaders with virtually no soil compaction. This means your yard is ready for spring grass growth the moment the snow melts, rather than requiring expensive sod repair.
2. The “Anesthesia” of Dormant Pruning
In the video, Matt discusses the biological advantage of “hibernating” trees.
Matt’s Insight: Pruning during dormancy is like performing surgery while the patient is under anesthesia. The tree doesn’t “bleed” sap, and the risk of attracting beetles that carry Oak Wilt or Dutch Elm Disease is non-existent. We get a head start on the tree’s healing process before spring even hits.
3. Superior Structural Visibility
Without leaves obscuring the view, Matt and the crew can see the “skeleton” of the tree.
Matt’s Insight: Winter allows us to spot hairline fractures, crossing branches, and hidden decay that are impossible to see in the summer. We can be much more precise with our cuts, ensuring the tree’s weight is balanced to handle those heavy St. Croix Valley spring storms.
Stillwater & Hudson Case Study
In the video, Matt mentions that properties near the St. Croix River often deal with more dramatic “freeze-thaw” cycles. Because NWI is local, we monitor the frost depth daily to ensure it is safe to bring equipment onto your specific property type—whether it’s the clay bluffs of Stillwater or the sandy flats of Hudson.
The Bottom Line
Unless you are faced with an Emergency, tree pruning and tree removal is most optimal during the winter season. The frosty months minimize the impact on the terrain, preserving your lawn and gardens. The absence of leaves during this period simplifies both clean-up and chipping.
Benefits of Winter Pruning and Removals
- Pests & diseases are dormant.
- Frozen ground minimizes damage.
- Removing damaged/dead limbs prevents winter storm damage.
- Winter pruning gives trees time to heal.
Our Goals When Pruning a Tree
- Remove the hazards.
- Improve and maintain the health of tree.
- Improve aesthetics and functionality of tree.
The Types of Tree Pruning We Offer
Crown Cleaning
Removal of dead wood disease broken or poorly attached limbs.
Crown Thinning
Selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement.
Deadwood Pruning
Removal of dead branches.
FAQ
Yes, but it is essential for Oaks and Elms. Matt advises that any high-risk removal is safer in winter when the wood is brittle and breaks predictably, and the ground is protected.
As seen in our recent projects, we can work through the snow. We clear only what is necessary to access the tree safely, keeping the rest of your “insulating” snow layer intact to protect your dormant perennials.
