Take a close look at your trees this winter—it’s the ideal season to assess their structure and prune if needed.
Before we know it, new leaves will cover the trees and bird nesting season will be upon us. We do not want to prune in the spring and early summer unless we have to.
As you assess you trees this winter, remember:
- Have a pruning plan! Proper pruning can take multiple seasons to reach your goals while keeping your trees healthy.
- No topping or heading cuts are allowed unless you have a permit with a certified arborist’s plan. These cuts can cause long term damage to your tree.
- Keep your canopy! Removing more than 25% of a tree’s canopy and leaves can starve your tree. Heavy pruning requires a city permit and a certified arborist.
- If dealing with storm damage, you can leave the natural break for bird habitat, or prune the branch back appropriately with a clean cut—just make sure to follow the guidelines above.
Need resources? Check out the Pacific Northwest International Society of Arboriculture ( https://pnwisa.org/page/pruning ) or the Trees are Good ( https://www.treesaregood.org/home/tree-owner-resources/pruning-your-trees ) pruning pages for helpful information.
Care for your trees the right way to protect their health and beauty for years to come!
