Trees are a huge part of what makes the Triangle beautiful, and a big responsibility when they are growing over your house. Trimming at the right time keeps trees healthy. Knowing the warning signs keeps your family and your home safe.
The best time: late fall through winter
For most shade trees, the ideal time to prune is during dormancy, from late fall through late winter. With the leaves off you can clearly see the branch structure, there is less stress on the tree, and pruning cuts heal quickly once growth starts in spring.
Anytime: dead, broken and dangerous limbs
Some trimming should not wait for the right season. Dead branches, limbs cracked in a storm and branches rubbing on your roof should be dealt with as soon as you notice them. Summer thunderstorms and the remnants of tropical storms bring down limbs across Wake County every year.
Warning signs a tree may be dangerous
- The tree has started leaning recently
- Soil is cracked or lifting at the base
- Large dead limbs, especially over the house or driveway
- Mushrooms growing on the trunk or roots
- Deep cracks or splits in the trunk
- Bare branches in the canopy when the rest of the tree has leaves
If a tree near your home shows any of these signs, have it looked at soon, before the next storm.
Avoid "topping"
Cutting the top off a tree to make it shorter may seem like a quick fix, but it usually backfires. Topping leads to weak, fast-growing sprouts that break easily, and it can leave the tree open to decay. Proper trimming thins and shapes the tree instead.
Check before you remove
Many trees on private residential lots can be removed without a permit, but rules vary by town and property, and many HOAs require approval first. Check with your town and HOA before taking down a large tree.
