By Tim Winegard, MSc, ISA Certified Arborist and Owner, Muskoka Tree Solutions
Many cottage owners are surprised to hear that tree removal is not the only option for accomplishing certain goals around the property. This is an important consideration, as local municipalities within the District of Muskoka are increasing their by-law and enforcement efforts with the aim of preserving heritage trees, and those in waterfront and critical habitat spaces. As an alternative to outright removal, proper pruning can preserve the ecology of your cottage, and achieve a variety of other benefits.
Improving Airflow and Reducing Biting Insects
Improving airflow around the cottage can mitigate mould, moss, lichen and algae growth on slippery pathways, weathered siding, and exposed foundations in shaded conditions. Good airflow also encourages faster evaporation of puddles or seasonally wet areas, which minimizes breeding habitats for mosquitoes. Creating pathways for breezes off the lake or refreshing air currents across the property can dramatically reduce insect activity by making flying – and finding you – more difficult. Pruning trees adjacent to your home, or in line with predominant wind and sun directions, can help sunlight and airflow to reach the forest floor, pathways, and the foundation of the home.
Reduce Sap, Needle, and Leaf Buildup
Trees produce copious quantities of canopy material, from pollen, needles and leaves to cones and seeds. Keeping up with the seasonal growth and reproduction of trees can feel like a full-time cottage chore! Material accumulation on our roofs can cause ice-damming in the winter, while sap build-up on outdoor furniture and vehicles can make cottage cleanup a challenge. Thinning and shaping trees can help alleviate these issues, by reducing branch density and length over high-use areas (such as near your home), while encouraging future growth to occur away from the cottage.
Maximize Your View
In many ways, pruning can have one of the most profound effects on your lake and landscape views. The impact is akin to the feeling one has walking into a freshly painted and renovated room. By accentuating natural lines or breaks and developing targeted frames, pruning can not only improve your view, but also create beneficial airflow through your yard. Who doesn’t love a warm summer breeze to go with their lake view and patio drinks? Privacy can be maintained through the creation of “windows” that allow for long-lake views from key areas like kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, but retain foliage to prevent shoreline cruisers from viewing the cottage clearly from the lake.
Increase Cottage Safety and Reduce Risk
Having trees within reach of your home does not have to be risky, but it is important to monitor them for signs of stress or disease. A routine part of managing mature trees is the removal of branch hazards over time. These may include obvious hazards like storm-damaged or dead branches. Or sometimes hazards can be more subtle: branches with poor attachments or dangerous leans, for example. Focusing pruning efforts around high-traffic areas or critical infrastructure can significantly improve the overall safety of your outdoor living experience, while cutting down on clean-up time. Consistent pruning can allow property owners to achieve the life-in-the-canopy aesthetic, while minimizing the high-wind-branch-breaking risks that may put your cottage at risk. This spring, look at the trees around your property and assess how they are influencing your airflow, views, or issues with cottage upkeep. If you have questions or concerns about trees close to your home or cottage, our team at Muskoka Tree Solutions looks forward to hearing from you this season. Our services are tailored to the needs of Muskoka property owners and are backed by the latest forestry and wildlife science for our region.
