Association Volunteers Prune 63 Trees December-January
From mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025 a group of owner volunteers was busy trimming and pruning our Austrian pines, hawthorns and crabapples. Under the direction of the Buildings & Grounds committee, led by Melanie Roberts, the group pruned 63 trees and logged 52 person hours over 19 work days. We estimate the task saved our association $6000 in contractor fees.
This monumental effort was needed because these trees have not been pruned in several years. In future years we expect to prune a subset of trees on a rotating basis.
This year’s pruning goals were:
1. Remove dead limbs
2. Trim limbs overhanging the lawn or roof
3. Shape the tree for balance and aesthetics
Pruning at this time of year is called winter dormant pruning and is excellent for tree appearance, health and longevity.
Dormant pruning has many advantages over summer pruning. It decreases the spread of diseases that are active in warmer months. It allows workers freely to walk around without trampling perennials. And it allows for easier identification of dead branches. By contrast, summer pruning results in trees that might look like a bunch of sticks and could encourage disease.
And if the job was well done you won’t really notice the pruning. However, the tree will be healthier, less apt to lose limbs to winter snows, less fire prone, show vigorous and balanced spring growth, and not interfere with roofs or gutters.
Next up we anticipate we will engage a contractor to selectively prune some of our larger trees: locusts, ashes and maples.
In the coming months look to your inbox for other volunteer landscaping jobs needing helpers. As we did last year, we anticipate a “move the sod” day in March 2025. And we have other types of jobs in the works. Stay tuned.
