winter tree care

Winter Tree Care

The picturesque scene of the Twin Cities urban canopy sparkling with fresh snow cover provides inspiration for area photographers and an opportunity for arborists. The way Tree Trust pursues our mission to transform lives and landscapes adapts—like many hearty Minnesotans—to harmonize with the seasons. On the blistery cold winter days, when the ground is frozen and covered in heavy snow, it is an excellent time to focus on trimming and removal.  

Dressing for the Season: Dispelling the Myth of Bad Weather 

Many Minnesotans will say there is no bad weather if you are wearing the right clothing. Before Tree Trust’s Career Pathways participants learn how to prune and fell trees safely it is important to gear up. They begin to foster an appreciation for the power of an additional layer of clothing and many develop a fondness for working in an outdoor office. With the proper gear, working outside throughout Minnesota’s unpredictable and cold weather, often with frigid temperatures, and snow-covered ground, is no barrier for our intrepid tree experts and future green collar workers.

“Being able to be outside, even in the weather, I still love it way more than working an office job or being inside…It is actually surprising how much you do stay warm when you are moving outside, and you are layered up. It has been really beautiful [working] outside.” -Melanie, Branches participant  

Healthy Trees: Importance of Winter Tree Care 

In colder months, deciduous trees enter their dormant season. This resting state also applies to invasive pests like the dreaded emerald ash borer (EAB). If a tree infested with EAB is removed in the summer while the beetle is active, it has the potential to transfer to a new tree, continuing to spread its path of destruction.  

According to Tree Trust’s certified arborists, there are many benefits to winter tree care. 

  • The cold minimizes the likelihood of transferring invasive pests & other tree diseases.  
  • Pruning elm and oak tree branches in the winter prevents oak wilt and Dutch elm disease. 
  • Cool temperatures cause the tree’s resources to move mostly underground into the tree roots, so when branches are removed, you are removing less stored resources from the tree. 
  • Frozen soil can prevent any ground damage from equipment and branch removal.  

Season For Trees 

Tree Trust’s vision of a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet adapts with the seasons. Even when we are not planting trees, we continue supporting our urban canopy to ensure it is flourishing. The cold winter months are the best time to keep our beloved trees healthy and happy, whether younger or mature trees, with dormant pruning. Our experts work hard through the winter to continue training the future generation of green industry workers. As we look forward to spring, our focus will shift back to planting. We will plant 7,000 trees across the Twin Cities metro this year and serve 400 youth participants in green trades training. Please consider a donation to help transform lives and landscapes today!