People often ask if they can prune trees in the winter. Well, the answer is yes! When trees are pruned during the dormant season they are less likely to have the wounds weep. The two most important factors to consider are the type of pruning and the quality of the pruning cuts. During this time it is easy to see the structure of trees without their leaves.
There are four general types of pruning: Crown Cleaning, Thinning, Raising, and Reduction. Cleaning includes the removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, and weakly attached limbs. A thinning is the process of selectively removing limbs to improve light penetration and wind flow through the canopy. Thinning helps to reduce weight and improves the shape of the tree. By removing low limbs you can improve clearance and visibility. Reduction pruning involves making a few larger cuts to reduce weight on overburdened limbs.
Often trees are neglected for many years causing them to be over burdened and have weakly attached limbs. To correct this problem it may take several trims over several years. Remember that yearly maintenance can help prevent some problems during high winds and storms, but Mother Nature has her own way of working. The best thing to do is call a licensed and insured tree company and have an Arborist check your trees.