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Fall and Winter Pruning Tips 'Tis the season to be arboreal. by Michael Bray, Standing People Tree Care When the sun stops shining in the Northwest, you know it's time to take a walk on your property and think about what your plants need most.

Smart folks will use the cloudy, moist months of fall and winter to take stock and start helping their plants get set for healthy growth in the spring.

Pruning can be done any time after the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs begin to drop. Professional arborists enjoy pruning at this time not only because trees are essentially 'hibernating', but also because it is a wonderful time to see the growth structure of the branches and limbs that are often obscured by foliage in the sunny months of spring and summer.

So why, you may wonder, do we need to prune? Why not just let our plants grow naturally, as they would if they were standing on native ground? There are several reasons why pruning is beneficial. Airflow and weight from excess limbs can hamper healthy growth. In the dormant season, "wounds" caused by pruning cuts are less likely to become infected by diseases, insects and other parasites that flourish with the emerging foliage and the sap that flows strongest in spring and summer.

Perhaps most importantly, when the wind is blowing hard or precipitation is coming down in excess, weakened limbs on older trees can be hazardous to homeowners. You need to make sure your trees are structurally sound and able to sway freely with the weather, so they don't hurt themselves or your home when a storm hits. Not only will your plants look more healthy and beautiful with the help of professional pruning, they will live in better harmony with the land and structures around them.



Michael Bray is a licensed arborist and the owner of Bothell's Standing People Tree Care.

Article edited by KPLU intern Holly Regan.