Winter is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time to assess your trees for potential hazards. Damaged, dead, or poorly located trees can become serious risks during the colder months, with high winds, ice, and snow increasing the chances of falling branches, uprooted trunks, or worse. Removing problem trees before winter is not only safer but also helps prevent storm damage, fire risks, and pest infestations. Plus, completing tree removal ahead of the season avoids the added challenges and dangers of winter conditions. Here’s why scheduling tree removal before winter weather arrives is a crucial step for protecting your property.
Tree Removal Before Winter: Why It’s Important
Winter Tree Removal Dangers
Winter presents a more dangerous time to perform specific garden tasks, which include pruning and tree removal. Conditions are colder, and there is a higher risk of increased wind speeds or rain. If you had done the same tree removal a season earlier, you would have had better weather to do it in!
Weather can present a hazard for many reasons. Danger risks are increased due to weather conditions and using heavy equipment. You’ll understand the added danger if you’ve ever tried to climb a ladder in the wind.
Many garden tasks should be completed before winter, and tree removal is one of the most important.
Trees Become a Storm Hazard
Trees that aren’t removed by the height of winter can become a hazard during storms. Removing damaged trees or limbs before the harsh winter is a great idea.
When trees are standing in dangerous locations (for example, next to the home) or have long since begun dying off (thus drying and cracking easily), it’s recommended that they are removed before the seasonal change.
Winter storms might increase wind speeds, which turns a dying tree into a potential projectile that could fly anywhere. Landscapers usually remove trees before the winter months because it’s safer for everyone who may be around it!
Trees Can Also Be a Fire Hazard
If there’s one thing you should have learned about wood, it’s that dried wood burns easier — and usually hotter. Trees are more than just a potential storm hazard, but might also be a fire hazard under the right circumstances.
A single spark can be enough to set fire to an entire forest. Even during overcast weather, a reflection can be enough to make leaves smolder and catch fire. Dead trees in the yard are one of the most dangerous things to have.
If a tree shouldn’t be where it’s standing, remove it.
Damaged Trees Can Fall
Damaged trees have weaker structures than what’s around them, creating common falling tree accidents that can injure or kill. Never give a dead or damaged tree more space than you should before winter. If a tree presents a potential danger, now is the time to remove it. You’ll benefit from the extra space in your garden.
Winter brings windier weather than other seasons. Strong winds can contribute to the collapse of that tree you’ve meant to remove. This
Branches Can Break
Trees take much more pressure during winter, and branches can break easily during the height of a storm. A falling branch poses a serious danger to whoever is standing at the bottom. Even if someone isn’t standing there, it could cause hundreds of damage to your property or neighbors.
Remove trees before winter rather than taking the risk of a breaking branch during winter weather. You’ll be glad you did.
Avoid Pests and Diseases
Pests might readily make their homes in tree stumps and damaged trees. The same pests are ready to make their way into homes (and anything else that’s made from wood) when the next season is ready.
Removing dead trees from the yard reduces your chances of having it become a haven for pests later on. Avoid termites and woodlice by removing dead trees and ensuring you’ve cleared any debris.
It is a great time to remove any trees that are contaminated with disease before winter. Hire a professional to remove and dispose of the tree properly to avoid diseases spreading to other trees.
Need Professional Tree Removal?
Tree felling is a potentially dangerous job that requires training, experience, and the right equipment. Always call a professional for tree removal if you don’t have experience doing it yourself.
Removing a tree isn’t anyone’s job; that’s why tree-felling professionals exist. Professionals are covered against accidents and are much less likely to make them while doing professional tree removal.
Tree Services of Omaha – Tree Removal Services
Tree Services of Omaha, Nebraska is a full-service tree care provider that offers a wide range of arborist services including but not limited to: Tree Removal Services, Tree Trimming, Tree Pruning, Tree and shrubs Shaping, Stump Removal, Stump Grinding, Emerald Ash Borer Treatment, Arborist Consultations, Systemic Tree Injection (Tree Healthcare).
Contact us today for a free estimate!
