Take a good look at your trees. Especially the deciduous ones without the leaves. Soon those bare branches will bud and it will be harder to see what could be an indication of disease and decay. Now is the time to take notice and prune what’s broken, dead or diseased. Here’s what to look for to take advantage of pruning diseased trees in late winter.

Signs of Tree Disease

Bare trees may not look as nice as ones with spring buds or fall foliage. However, there are some major advantages of trees without leaves. Now you can see through the branches and pick out any discoloration, growths, or broken limbs. It’s important to take note of anything out of the ordinary and get it evaluated. These signs could either be normal growth or an indication that pruning or treatment is needed.

Different trees are more susceptible to different diseases and infestations, but some of the signs are universal, including:

• Irregular growths on branches or trunks
• Discolored branches
• Broken limbs
• Excessive chew marks
• Cracks

While some of these signs could happen naturally, it’s important to get it checked out sooner rather than later, especially if no leaves end up budding on a particular branch.

Pruning Diseased Trees

If you notice any signs of disease or decay, carefully prune these branches to help stop the spread and prevent the branches from breaking on their own. If you can’t reach the branch, call a professional company for assistance.

A pro will be able to tell if the signs are, in fact, a disease or if it’s a natural occurrence in the type of tree. Any diagnosed disease will come with treatment options. Certain fungicides help to prevent further spread, but it’s still important to remove the infected branches.

Whether removing a small branch or an entire limb, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and the current state of the branch. You also want to be careful when disposing of infected limbs.

If it feels like you’re about to over prune, stop and call a pro. Pruning too much may rid the tree of diseased spots, but it could end up shocking it and stunting its growth as well. While you’re taking stock of the situation, try to gauge how much of the tree needs to be cut. If it’s more than a third, you guessed it, call a professional to help assess.

Professional Tree Pruning

You may have noticed a recurring theme when it comes to tree pruning. If it’s too dangerous, too high, or too much, call a professional tree care company to help evaluate the situation. If you see signs of disease or stress on your tree, contact Elite Tree Care for a consultation before it blooms.