Why Autumn is a great time for Tree Surgery

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Autumn is a season of transition in the garden, as plants begin to slow down in preparation for winter dormancy. For many gardeners and property owners, it’s also the perfect time to address tree care needs, particularly tree surgery.

Whether it’s pruning, removing deadwood, or performing more extensive work, tree surgery in the autumn can help maintain the health and safety of your trees for the seasons ahead.

Here are some key reasons why autumn is the best time to book your tree surgery with us!

1. Trees Are Entering Dormancy

One of the main reasons autumn is ideal for tree surgery is because trees are starting to enter their dormancy phase. During dormancy, tree growth slows significantly, and they aren’t producing new leaves or fruit.

This period of reduced activity makes it easier for trees to recover from pruning and other surgery, as there’s less stress on the plant. Performing surgery when a tree is dormant minimizes the risk of disease or pest infestation, as many pathogens are less active in cooler temperatures.

  • Faster Healing: Since the tree’s energy is not focused on growth, it can direct its resources toward healing the wounds caused by pruning or cutting, promoting faster recovery.

2. Reduced Risk of Disease and Pest Infestation

Autumn’s cooler weather reduces the activity of many pests and pathogens that thrive in the warmer months. Tree surgery involves making cuts and wounds in the tree, which can leave it vulnerable to infections or infestations. However, with lower temperatures and less insect activity in autumn, the risk of harmful fungi, bacteria, or pests attacking a freshly pruned tree is greatly diminished.

  • Safer Wounds: Performing tree surgery in autumn helps prevent complications, allowing the tree to seal off any cuts or incisions before the next growing season begins.
Ceratocystis fagacearum

3. Clearer Structure for Pruning

As trees shed their leaves during autumn, their structure becomes much easier to see. Without the leaves, it’s simpler for tree surgeons to identify dead or damaged branches, and to assess the overall health and shape of the tree.

This clarity makes it easier to determine where cuts should be made to promote balanced growth, improve air circulation, or remove potentially dangerous limbs.

  • Better Visibility: Autumn allows tree surgeons to perform more precise pruning by making it easier to assess the tree’s structural integrity.

4. Preparation for Winter Weather

Autumn is the last chance to prepare trees for the harsh winter months ahead. Heavy snow, ice, and wind can cause weak or damaged branches to snap, which could lead to property damage or injury.

Pruning in autumn can reduce the weight of overextended limbs and remove any branches that are already compromised, preventing them from becoming hazards during winter storms.

  • Safety First: Tree surgery before winter weather hits can reduce the risk of broken branches causing damage to homes, vehicles, or people.
winter gardening

5. Improved Tree Health and Growth in Spring

By booking your tree surgery for the autumn, you set your trees up for success in the coming growing season. Removing dead or diseased branches encourages healthier growth and allows the tree to focus its energy on producing strong new shoots when spring arrives.

Additionally, autumn pruning can help improve the tree’s overall shape and structure, which enhances both its aesthetic appeal and long-term health.

  • Balanced Growth: Pruning in autumn helps trees establish a strong, balanced framework for future growth.

Book your tree surgery service with us

By hiring a professional tree surgeon like ourselves, you’ll ensure your trees are cared for by experts who can deliver safe, high-quality results, all while adhering to legal guidelines.

We regularly visit customers around Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for their tree surgery needs and we also offer affordable garden maintenance services for domestic customers and ground maintenance for commercial customers, so you can sit back and relax and enjoy a beautiful lawn all year round.

Get in touch with us now for a free quotation

Gardener in Thetford, Norfolk
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