Preparing Your Trees for a Long Island Winter: Essential Care Tips from Olsen Brothers Tree Surgery
- olsenbrostreeservi
- Dec 17, 2025
- 2 min read
As the chill of winter settles over Long Island, our landscapes transform into a beautiful snowy wonderland. Evergreen trees dusted with fresh powder create stunning vistas, but beneath the beauty, winter weather can pose real challenges to your trees and shrubs.
At Olsen Brothers Tree Surgery Inc., a family-owned business serving Nassau County communities like Massapequa, Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, and beyond since 1969, we've helped countless homeowners protect their trees through harsh winters. With over 50 years of experience as certified arborists, we're sharing our top tips to keep your trees healthy and safe this season.
Why Winter Tree Care Matters on Long Island
Long Island winters bring snow, ice, high winds, and fluctuating temperatures that stress trees. Heavy snow can weigh down branches, leading to breaks, while ice storms cause splits or uprooting. Dormant trees are vulnerable, but proper preparation and maintenance make all the difference.
1. Winter Pruning: The Ideal Time for Structural Improvements
Winter is the best season for pruning most deciduous trees. With leaves gone, we clearly see branch structure and identify issues like dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
Benefits of dormant-season pruning:
Reduces risk of disease transmission (many pathogens are inactive in cold weather)
Promotes vigorous spring growth
Improves tree shape and strength to withstand future storms
Our team follows industry standards to remove problematic branches without harming the tree. Avoid DIY pruning on large trees—improper cuts can lead to long-term damage.
2. Inspect for Storm Damage and Hazardous Branches
Winter storms on Long Island can strike suddenly. After any major snow, ice, or wind event, inspect your trees for:
Broken or hanging branches
Splits in trunks or major limbs
Leaning trees that may indicate root issues
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If you spot damage, don't delay—call professionals immediately. We offer emergency tree services to safely remove hazards and prevent further property damage.
3. Protect Young and Vulnerable Trees
Newly planted or thin-barked trees (like maples or fruit trees) need extra protection:
Wrap trunks with tree guards to prevent sunscald and rodent damage
Apply a fresh layer of mulch (2-3 inches) around the base, keeping it away from the trunk to insulate roots
Water deeply before the ground freezes if fall was dry
4. Deep Root Feeding for Long-Term Health
Even in winter, trees benefit from nutrition. Our deep root special liquid feeding injects fertilizer directly to roots, building reserves for spring.
Ready for Winter? Let Us Help!
Don't wait for the first nor'easter to think about your trees. At Olsen Brothers Tree Surgery Inc., we're fully licensed, insured, and equipped to handle all your winter tree care needs—from pruning and cabling to emergency removals and stump grinding.
Contact us today at (516) 541-5656 or request a free estimate online https://www.olsenbrotherstree.com/. We're proud to keep Long Island's trees healthy and beautiful, season after season.
Stay warm and safe this winter!
The Olsen Brothers Team
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