You might be tempted to wait for warmer weather before tackling that tree. But early winter is actually the best time to remove unwanted or dead trees and stumps. Depending on size and age, removal can be a daunting DIY project. Nelson Tree Specialist removes trees and stumps safely and can amend your soil so it will come back strong in spring.
Why Winter Is the Best Time to Remove Trees
1. Safety First: Deadwood Is Dangerous
When a tree dies, its limbs become a hazard. They weaken, turn brittle, and the tree can’t hold onto them. Add the weight of ice and snow plus high winds, and you have a recipe for disaster. There are more downed limbs in winter than in any other season.
You also risk the tree being uprooted in early spring. As the ground thaws and snow melts, the soil softens. A weak root system is more likely to give way, causing the tree to fall. Remove dead trees before that happens.
2. Protect Lawn Health Before Spring
A dead tree or stump can change the pH of the surrounding soil. After stump removal, the ground is often too acidic for new grass to sprout. While this may correct itself over time, it can take a year or more, and grass seed spread immediately after removal may not grow.
Test your soil’s pH to get your lawn ready for spring. If it’s acidic, amend it with lime to balance it out. Some types of trees, like certain pines, produce more acid. Add lime incrementally, wait a few days, and retest until you reach the proper balance. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers can also promote grass growth.
Make sure as much of the old tree as possible is removed. Leftover material can rot, encourage fungus, and leach nutrients from the soil and nearby plants.
3. Prevent Unwanted Resprouting
Often, when a stump is left behind, new growth appears around it or from existing roots. Maryland’s sweetgums are notorious for this.
With the main tree gone but the root system still absorbing nutrients, the tree uses those nutrients to push up new shoots wherever it can.
Finish the job now to avoid a bigger problem later. New growth can continue even after a stump is ground down, so make sure it’s all removed.
DIY vs. Professional Removal
Tree removal looks straightforward until you factor in height, lean, decay, overhead lines, nearby structures, and winter weather. One wrong cut can cause property damage or serious injury. If the tree is tall, near a home or utility line, or shows signs of internal decay, hire certified professionals.
Let Nelson Tree Specialist Remove it for You
We bring the right equipment for cold-season work, including cranes, bucket trucks, material handlers, and high-capacity chippers. Our crews use controlled rigging and safe work practices to protect roofs, fences, driveways, and landscapes. We also grind stumps, remove debris, and can help with soil testing and pH correction so your lawn rebounds in spring.
Call us now and get your deadwood taken care of this Winter.