Written by Rick’s Certified Arborists
Reading time: 6 minutes
Winter might seem like the season when your trees take a break, but it’s actually the perfect time to give them some serious attention. While temperatures drop and deciduous trees shed their leaves, smart homeowners throughout Southeast Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware are scheduling Winter Tree Care Inspections to get ahead of spring problems before they even start.
What Happens to a Tree in the Winter?
When trees enter dormancy, they essentially pause their active growth cycle to conserve energy through the cold months. This dormant period is when metabolic processes slow down, water movement decreases, and energy reserves are carefully rationed until warmer weather returns.
For Certified Arborists, this dormancy creates the perfect window for thorough evaluations. Without the distraction of leaves, we can see structural concerns that would otherwise hide in a full canopy. Weak branch unions, cracks in the bark, and compromised limbs become immediately visible.
Winter Inspections also reveal early signs of trouble that would be impossible to spot during the growing season. Scale insects, Mite eggs, and other overwintering pests become more visible on bare bark. Fungal bodies and Cankers stand out against the tree’s structure. These plant health care concerns, if caught now, can be treated effectively before they develop into major problems.
What Arborists Look for During a Winter Tree Inspection
- Early signs of Scale, Mites, and overwintering pests that have settled into bark crevices for the season. These invaders might be dormant now, but come spring, they’ll hatch and start feeding aggressively. Catching them during winter means we can schedule treatments right before their active cycles begin.
- Signs of Deer Feeding, such as jagged or torn twig ends where deer have browsed, missing buds or stripped bark on lower branches, and occasional rub marks or trampled soil that indicate recent activity.
- Signs of fungal infections or Cankers that might be advancing slowly through the trunk or branches. Winter’s bare structure makes these concerns easier to spot and evaluate for severity.
- Soil conditions and compaction issues that affect root health. We check for drainage problems, poor soil structure, and root flare visibility to ensure the base of your tree isn’t buried too deeply, which can lead to rot and stress.
- Damage from storms or freeze events that leave trees with hidden injuries, like small cracks, torn bark, or compromised branches that could fail when spring winds arrive. We identify these risks so you can address them before they become safety hazards.
- Trees that may be stressed and would benefit from Deep Root Feeding come spring. Nutrient deficiencies show up in subtle ways during winter, and addressing them early leads to stronger, healthier growth when the season changes.
How Winter Care for Trees Helps You Prepare for Spring
Early Detection Leads to Proactive Treatments
Identifying Scale infestations, fungal infections, or nutrient deficiencies now means treatments can be applied at the most effective time, and often before the pest or disease even becomes active.
Strategic Soil and Nutrient Planning
If your trees need Deep Root Feeding or other interventions, we can schedule them for the narrow treatment windows that make or break effectiveness.
Get Ahead of Pest Hatch Cycles
Many insects and Mites time their life cycles to spring weather. With Insect Pest Control plans in place, we can prevent infestations before they take hold.
Custom Programs Built for Your Property
Rick’s has 100% Certified Staff who design programs based on your trees’ needs. Every landscape has unique soil conditions, tree species, and pest pressure that require specialized care.
Benefits of Scheduling Your Inspection in Winter
There are practical advantages to booking your Tree Inspection during the quieter winter months. For one, scheduling is faster, and wait times are shorter since most homeowners aren’t thinking about their trees yet.
Visibility is at its peak during winter, giving our team the clearest possible view of your trees’ structure, bark health, and branch architecture. We can identify issues now and map out exactly when treatments need to happen.
Free Winter Inspections for Program Members
If you’re already enrolled in Rick’s Customer Care Program, your Winter Inspection is completely free. It’s one of the ways we ensure your trees and shrubs get proactive care year-round.
Not enrolled yet? No worries! Reach out today, and we can start building your spring treatment plan so your landscape is ahead of the season.
Winter Tree Care Tips Homeowners Can Do Themselves
There are a few things homeowners can do, too, such as:
- Prune out any obviously diseased branches, especially those affected by Black Knot or other Tree Diseases.
- Keep trees watered
- Monitor for salt damage if you’re using de-icing products near your trees. Road salt can leach into the soil and interfere with the uptake of water.
- Avoid piling snow or mulch against tree trunks. Keep a few inches of clearance around the trunk base to prevent rot and rodent activity.
- Keep pets and children away from sensitive root zones, especially when the ground is frozen.
- Watch for signs of winter burn on evergreens like Arborvitae, Holly, and Spruce.
- Protect newly planted trees with burlap wraps or tree guards if they’re exposed to harsh winds or potential wildlife damage.
Get Your Trees Ready for Spring and Schedule Your Winter Tree Care Today
Winter tree care isn’t just smart. It’s the difference between reacting to problems and preventing them in the first place, giving you the insight and planning needed to keep your landscape healthy and vibrant season after season.
If you’re enrolled in our Custom Tree Care Program, your Winter Inspection is completely free. Just reach out to schedule. For those not yet enrolled, now’s the perfect time to get started and position your trees for a strong and healthy spring before the season hits.
Contact Rick’s Certified Arborists today to request a quote!
