Winter Tree Care

[charonwest]

BELLINGHAM - Whatcom county is in full winter swing. The boss is currently skiing, so I’m glad he’s having a good time. The days are finally starting to get longer, but the pnw rain is relentless. It’s my second year as a pro tree climber, and I’m starting to realize the trees never do seem to get smaller around here.

How are you doing charonwest?

COLD COLD COLD! SLOW SLOW SLOW! Not much removal but we did some pruning for maples and birch last week. Couldn't wait for Spring!

 

[Brando CalPankian]

It's been a wild ride in the inland northwest. Last weekend we had 60mph winds and 55°f. Last night was 10 and snowy. Supposed to be 40 again saturday. Aaand our winter started in october

 

[Skye401]

We’re not climbing in -32F. At that temp, the trucks don’t start, even if they’re plugged in (block heaters). Last year, the state cancelled school that week because the buses wouldn’t start.
I just climbed on a job today, 43F and sunny ☀ felt like paradise

That makes sense. I'm in New England and we don't get temps that low, but we work year round and I'm always looking for secrets from climbers in other climates on how to deal with more extreme weather.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Lots of layers, bring extra socks, carhart storm defender bibs are totally worth the money, drink a lot of water, extra gloves (I like the polar penguines), if you do storm work get a good headlamp... I love winter work here, but we don't see many days below -15°f.

 

[Tayer]

Pretty mild winter on the north shore of Massachusetts. Been on a project since thanksgiving that will last till at least the end of February. Forestry mowing removing vines from trees and selecting out invasive and dead trees. Been really tough with the ground being so soft though makes skidding and mowing almost impossible. Doesn’t seem like the ground freezes up here anymore.

 

[treehumper]

Haven’t stopped unless it’s been too wet to be productive or causes too much lawn damage. Several storms have rolled through this season creating a further backlog of what we had already deferred to the winter. Temperatures have been fluctuating all winter from single digits to late spring-like. The lack of snow and sustained warmth just makes me concerned about what this summer is going to be like.