Winter is a Good Time to Prune

Winter pruning at Riverside Boat Club, Memorial Drive, Cambridge

Last spring you put energy and time into planning your summer gardens and best yard care practices.  In summer you reveled in blossoms and leafy trees.  As the temperatures dropped in fall the focus changed to cleaning and prepping for winter.  Now, you think to yourself, it is finally winter - time to relax!  Well, not quite yet.  Winter is the best time of year to prune woody plants such as trees and large bushes.

In winter trees enter their dormant phase.  They are "resting" and little to no growth takes place.  During this time traumatic effects of pruning are less likely to negatively impact your trees and shrubs.  Sap loss is kept to a minimum while fungus and other bacteria - who may also be in a dormant phase - are less likely to attack the open wound on a pruned branch.  Without leaves on the branches you will have a better concept of overall tree shape.  The lack of leaves aids in exposing all branches increasing your ability to identify dead, weak, or congested branch areas. 

Dead branches (branches with no leaves or buds and many times fungus growth and flaking bark) are the exception to winter or dormancy period pruning.  Dead branches can, and should, be removed any time of year for arbor health and public safety. 

The Conservancy Volunteer program does the majority of pruning in late fall, winter, and early spring.  The linked website in this post is an excellent model to follow when pruning trees.  http://www.tree-pruning.com/index.html

Get outside, enjoy the refreshing winter air, and help your trees and shrubs by pruning today!

Explore the "Quiet Side" of the Charles River

The lower basin of the Charles River holds the attention of many Charles River parkland users.  After all, the lower basin and its proximity to the Esplanade, Back Bay, Museum of Science, and Kendall Square accommodates thousands of daily visitors.  However, for a change of scenery follow the river upstream toward the BU Bridge and then further on to Harvard Square.  At the Weeks Memorial Footbridge continue further upstream.  Pass the rowing clubs and boathouses, pass Newton and Watertown Yacht Clubs and soon you will reach Watertown Square.  Here the Charles narrows.  Tree bows bend toward the river and you may see locals fishing.  In spring you may see predator birds feasting on a Herring run.  The river is quiet. 

Take advantage of the cold weather solitude by following this beautiful long walk or bike ride.  A two-mile loop from Watertown Square to Bridge Street will show you a new side of the Charles River.  The well maintained bike/foot path follows as the river bends its way through mature trees and refreshing wild.  Along the way scenic overlooks afford views of a Charles River miles away in distance, and appearance, from the bustling lower basin.

Beautiful Hawk Sighted in Parklands

Only a few weeks ago one of our Conservancy Volunteers, Brian, was walking along the Charles in Watertown and came across a hawk having a tasty dinner.  Not so noticeable in these photos is the rabbit the Hawk was feasting on!  What was more amazing was the proximity the hawk allowed onlookers to stand at - I guess he was more concerned with dinner than curious humans.