Trees are among the most important living things on Earth, providing oxygen, scrubbing carbon dioxide from the air, and keeping soil from eroding. Trees are also an invaluable component of landscaping, providing shade, aesthetic beauty, and a variety of benefits to the soil and surrounding fauna. But trees need help getting all of that done. Just like we humans benefit from routine grooming, trees are a lot better off if they lose some of their old, dead (or dying) branches and limbs. This process is known as pruning, and the winter is actually the best time to get it done, ensuring that you have a healthy tree year-round.