Preventative “medicine” for our trees during all seasons

Have you ever come across the humorous memes depicting the unpredictable nature of Georgia’s weather? Assuming you’ve been a resident long enough to appreciate the various memes, you’re likely familiar with the human perspective on these weather changes. We can easily retreat indoors, seeking refuge in our homes, offices, and cars. However, have you ever wondered about your trees and how they perceive the dramatic temperature fluctuations? As we head into “first winter” this week, below is a more thorough explanation for what you can be doing to take care of your trees during the winter.

To provide a comprehensive answer to the question above, consider scheduling an annual physical for your trees. While you might associate check-ups with humans and animals, trees also benefit from these yearly examinations. What does a tree check-up entail, and when is the optimal time to conduct it? These are excellent questions. While the specifics of each check-up depend on the tree, it typically involves some degree of pruning and other assessments. And while there is no one time that is better than another, winter is a perfectly good time to do this check-up.

Much like a doctor employs diagnostic tools to evaluate what isn’t immediately visible, arborists possess the expertise to discern a tree’s health and address potential issues during all seasons. And if you had a check-up for your trees performed during the other seasons that came with recommendations for pruning, this is a reminder that winter is particularly advantageous time to prune because trees are in a state of dormancy, exhibiting reduced metabolic activity, and are not actively growing or producing leaves. This state minimizes stress on the tree compared to the growing season. Additionally, winter facilitates a clearer visual assessment of the tree’s structure, making it easier to identify and remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.

A crucial aspect of conducting an annual check-up is the principle that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of medicine. This wisdom applies to both humans and trees and can be done at any time of the year. Investing time and resources now in ensuring the health of your trees and landscape can prevent most emergencies, which tend to be not only more dangerous but also more costly.

So, why wait? Take the proactive step and contact Boutte Tree today to schedule your trees’ check-up. By doing so, you’ll stay ahead of the growing season, ensuring a vibrant and beautiful yard for the upcoming spring!