Even though many trees go dormant in the winter, arborists do not. For some trees, winter is the best time to prune them. It’s also easier to assess the structure of trees when they don’t have leaves. And if we get a winter storm that damages trees, arborists help with emergency cleanup.
With the right equipment and knowledge, arborists can keep working year-round. As we approach the winter months, arborist work may slow down but it doesn’t stop. And arborists are the best qualified to work with trees in the winter. Though winter is the best time to trim many trees, it can also be more dangerous because cold wood is more brittle and likely to break or splinter. If someone wants work done on their trees in the winter, a professional arborist is by far the best person for the job.
On average, we get pretty mild winters here in the North Texas area. We do get northers bringing in cold snaps, though, so if you’re an arborist working in the winter, you’ll need to prepare for harsh cold as well as milder weather.
Why Work in Winter?
If you want to stay busy over the winter, make sure you’re educating your customers about the benefits of hiring arborists for winter tree care. There are several benefits to working on trees during the winter months. For one thing, it’s easier to see deciduous trees during the winter since they’re not covered in leaves. That makes it easier to identify which branches you should cut to keep trees healthy. It’s also easier to cable and brace trees.
The cold weather of winter also helps limit the spread of pests and diseases. Oaks, for example, should be pruned in winter to reduce the risk of oak wilt. Also, pruning in early winter provides a good opportunity to remove dead or damaged branches that would be most likely to break in winter storms. Getting rid of those branches before winter storms helps minimize the potential damage from broken branches.
Finally, tree removal can be easier in the winter. It’s easier to work around them with the lawn and garden dormant. It’s also simpler and less messy to remove trees when they don’t have leaves on them. Early winter tree removal also gets any unwanted trees out of the way before winter storms and the spring growing season.
Winter Weather Cautions
As you probably know, some trees don’t do well with winter pruning. For example, trimming some spring-flowering trees and shrubs (like mountain laurels and redbuds) in the winter will remove the branches that would have flowers.
Winter weather can also make it dangerous to work outside. Ice and snow make it harder to climb trees safely. Ice on the roads can make it prohibitively dangerous to move equipment like bucket trucks around. If you’re working during or after ice storms, be sure that you’re adequately prepared with cold weather safety equipment.
Chainsaws in the Winter
A good chainsaw is an essential tool for arborists. Once the temperature dips below 40° F, chainsaws have a few extra maintenance needs. If your chainsaw has a winter/summer shutter, switch to the winter setting. Also, check your owner’s manual to see if it recommends changing to a thinner bar and chain oil for winter cutting.
When working in trees during the winter, remember to keep an eye on chain tension since temperature fluctuations can affect that. Also, be extra cautious when cutting frozen wood because it is more likely to splinter.
Winter Gear for Arborists
Chainsaw pants make great winter gear because they’re warm and they protect your legs while cutting wood. Make sure your winter boots have good traction and resist water, so you don’t have to deal with cold, wet feet. Mountaineering boots and socks are often a good choice for winter work. For the really cold days, wearing a thermal base layer will help protect you from the cold without adding a lot of bulk.
We all know how important it is to care for ropes, climbing gear, and other equipment. Winter work brings with it a few specific things to keep in mind. For example, cold temperatures won’t damage ropes on their own, but if the rope gets moist and then freezes that will affect how the rope handles.
Freezing weather can create more sharp edges than usual, which you’ll need to be careful of to prevent wear on the ropes. Keep a sharp eye out for anything rubbing against ropes, such as splintered frozen wood. Also, make sure you lubricate equipment such as carabiners and connectors more often than you would in the warmer months.
Equipment Care and Purchase
For climbing gear and winter clothing, make sure you lay it out in a warm location after use so it all has a chance to dry. Speeding up the drying process by putting boots, ropes, and other equipment in a dryer or very close to a heat source isn’t recommended. It’s better for the equipment if you let it air dry. If you do a lot of work during the winter and find that your gear doesn’t have time to dry out, it might be worth it to invest in a second set so you can rotate which equipment you’re using.
Here at Richardson Saw, we’re a one-stop-shop for your arborist equipment needs. We carry arborist gear including cabling, climbing, rigging, and safety gear from Samson, Buckingham, Weaver, and other trusted arborist brands. Also, we carry power equipment essential for arborist work, including top-handle chainsaws, professional logging chainsaws, and pole pruners. We stock specialty arborist equipment year-round, and we regularly update our inventory based on requests and recommendations from customers. We’d love to have you come visit us!
