Should I prune my trees during the winter in Florida?

Posted: January 24th, 2023

Never prune too early in the winter, as incisions can dry out and pose a risk to people or structures below.  When pruning, first prune out dead and diseased branches, especially those caused by the winter’s cold temperatures we encounter in Brevard County, Florida. Unwanted lower branches on all evergreen shrubs and trees should also be removed in late winter.

Benefits of Pruning During the Winter in Florida

Benefit # 1 - Makes tree Structure more visible

Proper pruning means making the right cuts in the right places to improve the shape, health, and safety of your trees. Without leaves covering branches, it’s easier to see the structure of your trees. We can quickly tell whether or not a tree needs to be pruned and can more easily identify dead or dangerous branches that should be removed.

Benefit # 2 - stops disease from spreading

Tree diseases are typically caused or spread by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and insects. Unless the weather has been exceptionally warm, these disease agents are usually dead or dormant during the winter months. As a result, diseases are less likely to be transmitted through tree work done in winter.

Some trees, such as elm and oak, as well as trees infected with fire blight, are best pruned in winter specifically to minimize the risk of spreading Dutch elm disease and oak wilt.

benefit # 3 - increases efficiency

Temperatures in the Brevard County, Florida area often get cold enough in winter to freeze the ground. That means we can bring in heavy equipment without damaging your landscape, letting us work more efficiently and resulting in lower costs for you. This is especially true for large tree pruning jobs and removals.

benefit # 4 - Causes Less stress on trees

A tree’s normal reaction to pruning is to stimulate new growth and to close the wound made by the pruning cut. When we prune in winter, it doesn’t cause new growth until spring, at which time the tree has access to the moisture, sunlight, and nutrients it needs to support healthy growth. Plus, dormant pruning gives trees time to heal from pruning cuts before warmer weather brings out destructive insects and pathogens.

Trees and shrubs that bloom in early spring will flower on branches that developed buds before winter arrived. If you prune those branches before the plant blooms, you’ll be cutting off all the flower buds. For early spring-blooming trees, it’s best to delay pruning until after they’ve finished flowering. If the tree or shrub flowers in late spring, you should be fine with a winter pruning job.

If you need trees on your residential or commercial property in Melbourne, Florida or surrounding cities, don't hesitate to contact us today!