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Winter
Tree Work
Winter is an excellent time to prune trees. Many trees, such as oak,
elm, locust, and fruit trees, should only be pruned during this dormant
season to prevent disease infection. Here are some general guidelines
that may be of assistance:
• Trim lower branches to avoid contact while walking or mowing
underneath.
• Remove all dead and broken branches, branches growing towards
the center of the tree, rubbing branches, and branches growing out of
the tree’s natural shape.
• If a young tree has two main stems, prune off one of them saving
the straighter, more dominant stem.
• Make pruning cuts next to the branch collar or a bud. Do not
leave stubs; they prevent proper healing and invite fungi and wood rotting
bacteria.
• Two-thirds of the tree’s height should be branched. Do not
trim up any higher.
• Do not use pruning paint on any pruning cuts. Pruning paint should
only be used when branches must be removed during the growing season
to seal out disease (oak wilt or Dutch elm). Pruning cuts will heal
faster when paint is not used.
If the services of a professional arborist are required, especially for
trimming large trees, please contact the Natural Resources Division for
a current list of licensed tree contractors. Anyone doing tree work as
a business within the City of Apple Valley must be licensed (Ordinance
152.43).
Tree trunks of smooth-barked species should be wrapped annually to prevent
frost crack damage. Maples, lindens, locusts, and fruit trees are the
most susceptible species. Tree wrapping is necessary through the early
years until bark thickens and becomes blocky or scaly. Wrap the lower
five to six feet of the trunk or to the first branch, whichever comes
first. Remember to remove tree wrap in the spring
after snow melt. Tree wrap is available at most garden and hardware stores.
The white colored wrap is most effective in reflecting heat. If a tree
is not wrapped and sustains frost crack damage, it can take a number of
growing seasons to heal. Wood-rotting bacteria and fungi easily enter
the wound and can cause structural damage, and unhealed trees often break
off during summer storms. Voles, a mouse-like animal, can cause trunk
damage by feeding on the tree bark during the winter months, killing the
tree if damage is extensive. Placing hardware cloth or plastic tubing
(drain tile slit lengthwise) on the lower portion of the trunk will protect
tress from vole damage, and keep weed eaters away during the summer! If
you use plastic tubing or drain tile, use a large enough size to prevent
the tube from rubbing against the trunk.
Content updated on:
20-Dec-2004
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