Pruning is an important task for preventive maintenance. Pruning improves the over all health of the tree or shrub. Pruning helps prevent disease, insect infestation, and storm damage. The best time to prune most trees is late winter, when the tree is still dormant. Trees, such as maples, birch, butternut and their relative, can be pruned in late winter, but it may cause the sap to bleed, which may stress the tree. The best time to prune trees that are prone to bleed sap is after their leaves are fully expanded in late spring, or early summer.

In Minnesota, with our unpredictable winters, pruning a tree in late winter may not be feasible. Check with an tree trimming company, they may recommend a time of the season that is best for the trees that need to be pruned. Unpruned trees pose a number of risks. If a tree limb falls on your car, your comprehensive insurance will pay for the damage, less your deductible. If a tree falls and injures a neighbor that would be a claim handled by your homeowners insurance. Pruning is a great way to prevent a mishap from a falling limb, and it also improves the health of the trees. 

A mature tree in the yard adds value to a home; protect that investment by taking preventive measures. Pruning is one of the many instances where you can prevent a mishap before it happens. It is hard to see the many potential hazards that owning a home may pose, but having an insurance agent can help you navigate those risks. 

Call an arborist about trimming your trees; they will have more info on what to do and when to do it. It will help you avoid a claim on your homeowners insurance or auto insurance.