It’s true that fall is not the ideal season to prune trees. However! There are a few exceptions to this rule. One is that the tree in question has areas of dead wood. These branches become more of a hazard in general and especially during storms. This is why deadwooding trees is something you can do no matter what time of year it is.

What to Cut

So, what’s deadwooding? You guessed it, taking the dead wood off trees. It’s normal for some branches to die over time. Especially if the branches are overly shaded and don’t get as many nutrients from the sun. Some city and suburban trees are also more shaded by structures, so they may need more pruning to look more lively.

Branches can also rot from certain fungal diseases. Removing these branches sooner rather than later not only helps save the tree from further damage, but it saves the surroundings from falling, dead branches. Rotting branches also attracts pests, which causes even more issues—issues that can be prevented by deadwooding.

Thin, weak branches aren’t the only ones to watch for. Thick, heavy branches can also die or rot and become even more of a hazard. If these large branches happen to hold a lot of other little branches, well, you can see where this is going (nowhere good).

Process of Deadwooding Trees

Mature trees typically require more deadwooding than younger plants. These trees are also typically larger, thus more difficult to prune on your own. If you have to get on a ladder to trim a branch, stop, and call a professional. Climbing to cut an unpredictable branch is not a smart idea if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The first thing you should do when deciding to deadwood a tree is call a professional tree company. No matter how big the branch, the dead wood could be compromised by pests or disease. A pro will know the best way to cut and dispose of the branches. After an initial inspection of your tree, you may find the branch can stay but it needs other assistance, like cabling or bracing to regain its strength.

Contact Elite Tree Care to discuss deadwooding and any other maintenance your tree may need. With proper care, your tree will regain its strength and beauty for years to come.