Pruning Information
Well-cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns.
We prune in strict adherence to the professional standards of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Our arborists can determine what type of pruning is necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance and safety of your trees.
WHY PERFORM TREE PRUNING?
Pruning is a necessity on all trees and shrubs no matter what size they are. Mature trees require pruning to eliminate dead and dying branches. This promotes health and safety for the tree and community. It is documented that tree pruning reduces wind resistance during storms. With less resistance this causes less storm damage to your property.
Beneficial pruning will:
- Eliminate branches that rub each other.
- Remove limbs that interfere with wires, building facades, gutters, roofs, chimneys, windows or obstruct streets or sidewalks.
- Remove dead or weak limbs that pose a hazard and may lead to decay in the tree.
- Remove diseased or insect infested limbs. Create better structure to reduce the potential for storm damage.
- Remove limbs damaged by adverse weather conditions.
- Thin or remove unnecessary branches for the tree to support.
- Improve the shape or silhouette of the tree
The following types of pruning options can be helpful in deciding how to keep your trees healthy:
DEADWOOD PRUNING – removal of dead branches to reduce safety hazards.
CROWN CLEANING – removal of dead, diseased, dying, crossing, crowded and weakly attached branches and water sprouts from a tree. The smallest diameter and amount of wood removed is appropriate to the size, species, and age of the tree.
CROWN THINNING – includes the above as well as the selective removal of branches at their point of attachment to increase light penetration and air movement into the crown and to reduce wind-sail.
RAISE & BALANCE ELEVATION – underpruning crown to increase ground clearance.
CLEARANCE PRUNING – heading back or removing limbs to provide clearance to buildings, wires, lights, etc.
SETTING FORM – training young trees to develop good form and structural integrity.
CROWN REDUCTION – cutting back to appropriate lateral branches to reduce the height or spread of a tree. Also known as “drop crotch pruning.” This is the proper alternative to topping—a practice which injures and mutilates trees.
CROWN RESTORATION – improving structure or appearance of topped trees. (Please note that it is no longer considered necessary or advisable to use wound dressings in most cases.)
CABLING – installation of steel cables to reinforce weak crotches.
BRACING – installation of steel rods to screw or bolt together split crotches.
MULCHING – 2-4″ of mulch over the tree’s root zone is strongly advised. Mulch protects the trunk from mechanical injury, reduces competition from weeds and turf, conserves moisture and improves the soil.
