5 Reasons to Remove Trees in Winter

Trees are a huge part of our lives, both figuratively and literally. They provide us with the air we breathe, a place for wildlife to nest, and the wood we use to build everything from furniture to houses. But sometimes, to keep a forest healthy and make room for certain trees, others need to come down. Late December through February, when the world is dormant in the Northern Hemisphere, is the best time of the year to remove trees.

But why is tree removal beneficial? And why winter? Here are a few reasons winter is the best time to remove trees.

Why You Should Remove Trees in Winter

There are several reasons why you should remove trees in winter versus spring, summer, or fall. First and foremost is the safety aspect. More visibility equals fewer chances for error. Winter is also the season for planting trees, while they’re root systems are dormant. Both planting and removing trees while they’re dormant creates less of a shock to its system. And if you’re simply trimming limbs, there’s a small chance that blight or any other disease can make its way into the exposed trunk.

More Visibility for Your Safety

During the winter months, it's easier to assess the health of trees and identify those in danger of falling or posing a threat to people or your property. Removing trees during winter is also generally safer than removing trees during other seasons.

With the leaves off the trees, it's much easier to see what you're doing – including where you're cutting and what needs to be removed. Additionally, deciduous trees can block sunlight from reaching the ground, making it more difficult to see potential hazards. With greater visibility, you can see branches better and make more accurate cuts to prevent accidental damage to nearby structures or landscaping. 

Removing trees during winter is safer than removing trees during other seasons.

Less Potential Damage to Your Property

Removing trees during the warmer months can be tricky because the ground is often softer. But the land is typically firmer during the winter, making it easier to operate heavy machinery like skid steers and tractors. If you try to remove trees when the earth is warmer, you may damage your property if the machine sinks into the ground. They can also cause ruts or holes in your lawn and damage any delicate grassroots.

As for the trees themselves, dead leaves and branches are a major fire hazard, especially during dry winters. On the other hand, dead tree branches can snap and fall under the weight of ice and snow, especially during wet winters.

If you have any dead or dying trees on your property, it's best to remove them before they become a danger to your home, neighborhood, and wildlife.

The Health of Your Trees & Wildlife

One primary reason it's important to address tree removal this winter is that diseased or dying trees can pose a threat to healthy trees. If left unchecked, diseases can spread quickly through a stand of trees, causing extensive damage and potentially killing many trees. This is particularly important for trees that are close together, as diseases and pests can easily spread from one tree to another.

During winter, most pests, insects, and even disease-spreading fungi are dormant, making trees less susceptible. You can reduce the risk of spreading diseases safely and efficiently and protect the overall health of your tree population by removing infested trees in the colder months. Otherwise, more insects may be attracted to tree removal sites and plants already on your property during the warmer months.

Finally, removing trees during the winter can also protect wildlife by avoiding disturbing nesting birds.

Spring and summer are prime nesting seasons for many birds. Removing a tree that is home to a bird's nest during the breeding season can harm the birds and their young. Removing trees in the winter instead, when the birds have migrated or are dormant, allows you to avoid disturbing these delicate ecosystems and protect them.

Removing trees during the winter can also protect wildlife by avoiding disturbing nesting birds.

The Ease of Replanting

One of the best things about removing trees in winter is the ease of replanting come spring. For one, the lack of leaves on the trees makes it easier to access the area where the new tree will be planted. The ground is typically more receptive to new tree roots during the winter, as many trees can endure freezing by developing root systems beneath the frost layer.

When it's cold enough, the frozen ground can be harder than concrete, making it tough to dig into. However, most freezing occurs at the surface level. With the right skid steer attachment for digging holes for trees in the winter, you can penetrate the permafrost table more easily and have less impact on sensitive root systems.

It's More Efficient and Cost-Effective

Not only is tree removal in the winter less damaging to your landscape, but operating skid steers and tractors on frozen ground can also result in faster work, lower costs, less cleanup, and better outcomes. 

For one, dormant trees and branches are easier to handle as they are leafless and lighter. Fewer leaves also mean spending less time clearing the ground and removing excess leaves. 

All in all, these factors typically make tree removal services less expensive during the winter. Even so, tree removal companies tend to have more availability during the winter when demand for their services is lower – another plus if you plan it now. 

Choosing the Right Skid Steer Attachment for Winter Tree Removal

If any trees on your property need to be removed, consider having the work done during winter. But note that despite the generally lower costs or higher availability among tree removal companies, outsourcing can still be incredibly costly. So you may consider the DIY route. Winter is here, so if you’re considering investing in the proper tree removal attachments to tackle the job on your own time, let us know how we can help.