It’s that time of year. Along with the singing birds and croaking frogs, there’s the sound of chainsaws and stump grinders as some people remove trees from their properties.
Although spring is a good time to do general garden cleanup, it may not be the best time to trim and cut down trees.1
“People are often eager to get outside in the spring when the weather warms. This is when they often may see or feel inclined to do yard work and gardening,” says Catriona Glazebrook, executive director of WellKind. The group focuses on the protection and restoration of the natural world with an emphasis on forests, biodiversity, and wildlife.
“While gardening is perfect for this time of year, cutting/trimming/using heavy and loud equipment outside, etc. is not.”
Although warm weather and an urge to spring clean makes it seem like a good time to tackle the trees, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to wait.
One of the main reasons is to protect wildlife.
Even the sounds of tree work can be harmful to wildlife. The loud noise can keep animal parents from returning to their nests. The commotion can also keep them from feeding their offspring in a timely enough manner to keep them healthy and alive
Best Time to Trim
Trimming and cutting trees in spring isn’t just harmful to wildlife; it can also be dangerous for the trees themselves.
Trees are dormant in late fall and winter. That means that bacteria, fungi, parasites, and insects that can live on them and spread disease are also either dormant or dead. Those diseases are less likely to As a result, diseases are less likely to be transmitted when you prune in winter
Normally, during pruning, a tree is stimulated to produce new growth.
To confirm what’s best where you live, ask a local arborist or extension agent.
Keeping trees healthy and alive has greater climate ramifications, of course.