Tree Care Tips for the winter months in San Jose Bay Area

Bay Area Tree Specialists Certified Arborist Richard Smith , here to give tree recommendations for tree pruning at this time of year November – February.

Now that we are here in the colder months of the year. It is the perfect tree pruning time for Pine trees, Cedar trees and most Evergreen trees. The reason being is primarily associated with sap flow in trees. If an evergreen variety of tree is pruned during the hotter months the tree would secrete large amounts of sap from the wound created by the pruning process. This sap would drip onto the objects under the tree e.g. patios, driveway, roof.

Another thing to be aware of, is various pests such as beetles are attracted to the trees sap and can detect the sap flow by scent for miles. Many of these beetles (Turpentine Beetle) once they infest the tree will then cause the trees to irreversibly begin to die. This is one of the most prominent causes of the mortality rate among Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata).

However when a Pine tree is pruned during the colder months of the year (dormant season) the sap flow is dormant or primarily being stored in the root system and stays there until much warmer weather. Tree Pruning at this point results in very little sap drip. And therefore much less scent of sap.

Oak tree pruning tips: Oak trees are very susceptible to fungus and mold. That is why they should not be pruned generally during the wet rainy season. The driest months or July to September are usually the safest tree pruning months.

Visit us at http://www.bayareatreespecialists and request for a free consultation with one of our tree specialists in San Jose.