Trees are among the most important parts of any yard in Minnesota. They make our properties beautiful and they give us all the shade and privacy we need when we spend time outside. Because trees hold such great value to us, it’s a tragedy when they suddenly start to die.
When you fantasize about plucking fresh fruit from the branch of a tree and taking a refreshing bite, that fantasy is probably set on a tropical island; not up here in Minnesota. However, while fruits like bananas and pineapples may thrive in a tropical climate, many fruit trees, including apple trees, grow well in the temperate climate found in Minnesota. In fact, the University of Minnesota has been responsible for creating several new varieties of apples, including the ever-popular Honeycrisp!
Japanese beetles are an invasive species that first infested the Northeast and have since spread westward throughout the United States. Minnesota is just one of the many states that struggles with infestations of Japanese beetles every year. These green-and-copper-colored insects ravage the leaves of many trees and shrubs, leaving them skeletonized.
Winter is over at last! The snow has melted, the ground has thawed and green has begun to appear in the trees again. As spring begins in Minnesota, many of us are eager to get back out in our gardens and start planting. As much fun as it is to pick out fresh annuals, it’s equally important to preserve the health of your perennials, beginning with your trees.
There used to be a beautiful oak tree towering over your home but then a thunderstorm felled it, and all that’s left is a big ugly stump sitting in the middle of your yard. Since the stump is both a major eyesore and a serious tripping hazard, you decide to have it removed.
The majority of Minnesota is rated between plant hardiness Zones 3a and 4b by the US Department of Agriculture. The lower the number, the colder the temperature, meaning that only the toughest trees can survive Minnesota’s brutal winters, with temperatures as low as -40˚F.
If you have trees on your property in Minnesota, it would be in your best interest to make sure they’re well-tended. Healthy trees are beautiful to behold and provide your yard with some much-needed shade on hot summer days. Also, letting your trees get sick can be both dangerous and expensive. If disease or pests ravage a tree and weaken its integrity, branches will begin to follow and, eventually, the tree may collapse entirely, which can cause severe damage and injury. And if you need to have a tree removed before it falls, you can be landed with a hefty bill for the services.
Minnesota is home to many beautiful species of trees. From the northern forests to the southern plains, there are 53 species of trees that are native to Minnesota. If you live in a suburban or rural area, you probably have several different species of trees living on and around your property, and if you want to keep them beautiful, it’s important to take steps to maintain their health.
Healthy trees are the cornerstone of a healthy yard and garden. To keep your trees strong and beautiful, you must perform a variety of services which include pruning away dead and dying branches, protecting them against pervasive pests such as Emerald Ash Borers, and stimulating healthy root growth. You may be able to complete some of these tasks on your own but trickier jobs, particularly those involving large trees, may require the work of a professional arborist.
Pruning is one of the most vital services which maintains the good health of your trees throughout their lives. The careful removal of a decayed branch can prevent it from snapping in a way that wounds your tree and leaves it vulnerable to insects and disease. Pruning also allows you to shape a tree to fit your yard, while preventing it from choking out the sunlight from ground-level plants in your garden. It is especially important to prune your tree if its branches begin to hang dangerously far over a neighboring road, or if a large branch becomes diseased and runs the risk of falling on your home. However, it is paramount that your prune your trees during the correct season.
Spring: Spring is the season of new growth and blooms, so it should come as no surprise that many trees prefer to be pruned in the springtime. Pruning early in spring stimulates the rapid regrowth of branches, while pruning later in the spring promotes better blooms. Most evergreen trees, including junipers, yews and arborvitaes, should be pruned in the spring. Flowering crabapples and hawthorns like to be pruned just after the ground has thawed. By contrast, maples and birches would rather be pruned toward the end of spring. Some trees, such as lilacs and redbuds, should not be pruned until after they have flowered.Pruning can be beneficial to the health of your trees, but only when approached with the proper timing and techniques. Pruning your trees during the right time of year in Minnesota is critical, and so is pruning methodically to stimulate healthy growth for your tree. Cutting off too many branches without a vision or strategy may lead to a decline in tree health and render your trees vulnerable to pests and diseases. Before you cut off a single branch, decide why you're pruning this particular tree and what you hope to achieve.
Pruning cuts can be broken down into three main types of cuts: heading cuts, thinning cuts, and removal cuts. Heading cuts involve pruning lateral branches with the goal of controlling a tree's growth and shape. The aim of thinning cuts is to remove extraneous branches from a tree to improve its overall health. Removal cuts are performed to get rid of branches that are dead, diseased or hazardous.
When pruning large branches from a tree, it's wise to follow what is known as the "three-cut method." First, cut into the branch from below a few inches away from the trunk of the tree to prevent excess bark being stripped away when the branch is removed. Second, remove the branch by cutting from the top slightly past where you made the first cut. Finally, make a clean cut to remove the stump as close as you can get to the trunk without actually cutting into it, which is harmful to the tree. Using this technique, you can effectively prune your trees in Minnesota without placing them at risk of damage or disease.
Beyond pruning your trees during the correct season in Minnesota, there are some other important things to keep in mind when pruning common local tree species:
If you’re looking for an excellent tree pruning service in the Twin Cities metro area, contact ProTree Outdoor Services. Our team of trained and certified experts can take care of all the trees on your property, no matter how big the job is. Call us today!
Trees are very important for providing shade throughout neighborhoods, and also act as a home to local wildlife in Minnesota. As winter comes and the colder temperatures are beginning however, it’s important to take care of your trees to make sure they stay healthy over the winter months and begin their growing season strong once springtime comes.