pruning
We recommend to minimize the pruning dose when possible; this is best for the health and strength of the tree while also reducing the cost to you.
Retaining the nutrient rich organic matter from pruning is a great way to contribute to the soil health of your yard and save you the cost of disposal of pruning material.
All pruning we perform is carried out in accordance with internationally recognized standards such as A300 Pruning Standard, but is also informed by research and discourse in arboriculture and related fields.
If you are interested in further reading, consider Developing a Preventative Pruning Program : Young Trees, by Dr. Ed Gillman of University of Florida. This free article will familiarize you with foundational pruning theory and better equip you to understand your trees.
Structural Pruning
It is highly important to perform structural pruning on young trees in order to establish branch architecture that is appropriate for the space in which the tree is growing. A good branch architecture ensures that large limbs don’t have to be removed as the tree matures, reducing the size of wounds and spread of associated decay. Structural tree pruning allows your tree to maximize it’s canopy while maintaining strong branch architecture that is inline with the surrounding structures and other vegetation.
Crown Raising
Crown Raising
Crown raising is the removal or reduction of low branches and foliage, usually performed where on the ground clearance or increased light is required. It’s a great way to reclaim usable yard space from trees with a large and low spread.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is the removal or reduction of branches within the tree’s canopy to allow for increased light penetration, air movement and weight reduction of the crown. Crown thinning can also improve the aesthetic appearance of a tree. If you are concerned about your tree’s ability to withstand storm winds, crown thinning is a great way to reduce wind loading on your tree.
Crown Reduction
Not to be confused with topping, crown reduction is the reduction of the height of a tree’s crown. Unlike topping, crown reduction is performed in a way that minimizes stress to the tree. Crown reduction is best suited to trees with a spreading canopy or decurrent structure.
Branch Weight Reduction
Branch weight reductions are a great way to mitigate limb failures due to overloading, especially during severe weather events. Limb failures often cause large wounds and associated decay and weakening. Avoiding failures of vulnerable limbs helps maintain your tree’s health and strength, as well as reduces risk to you and your property.
Storm Damage Repair
A failed limb due to storm damage should be cut back to the failure or wound, the structural integrity of the wounded stem should be assessed and a strategy developed to manage the response growth that will occur in the subsequent years. If response (epicormic) growth is left unmanaged it often produces weakly attached fast growing limbs that are prone to further failure.
Pruning Damage Repair
Damage from incorrect pruning techniques, such as topping, can cause similar response as storm damage. Steps can be taken to repair damage from pruning in an effort to restore the trees natural architecture.
Retrenchment Pruning
A tree that is in decline, characterized by large amounts of deadwood, decay, dead tops etc, can pose risk to you and your property. As an alternative to removal, retrenchment pruning can be carried out to reduce risk and extend the life of such trees. Retrenchment pruning involves the removal of unwanted deadwood as well as the reduction of living canopy in an effort to stimulate the growth of a new and lower canopy. This type of pruning should be carried out in a stages in order to limit stress response.
Building Clearance
Trees in the urban environment often contend for space with man made structures. Pruning for building clearance should be carried out in a manner that allows the tree to adjust it’s growth to the structures that surround it. Most times it is unnecessary to remove impeding limbs, instead weight reduction and establishing upward growth achieves the clearance requirement.
Deadwood
Deadwood is a natural process to a tree’s development, however the presence of deadwood in the canopy can pose a risk, be an aesthetic challenge and contribute negatively to the health of the tree. We recommend the removal of deadwood one inch or bigger in diameter as a good balance between cost and maximum benefit.