TREE PRUNING

Every tree grows and is structurally different. Knowing the type of tree you are pruning is vital when determining the practice being applied. A range of pruning styles are offered to better serve you and your tree.

Crown Thinning is the removal of lateral branches with intent to provide better air circulation and light penetration. Also reduction of excessive end weighted branches.

Crown Cleaning (mature tree pruning) is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, interfering and weakly attached branches to enhance a trees health.

Clearance Pruning is the removal of branches to allow clearance from buildings and other objects for better air flow, reducing decay in wood exteriors. This also will reduce rubbing causing friction damage.

Young  Tree Training promotes  good structure  by establishing a dominant leader by reducing competing stems, spacing  major branches by removing or shortening  nearby branches to anticipate future form and function. Train and prune early to avoid cutting large branches later this reduces future tree care costs.

Restoration Pruning is performed to improve the structure, form, and appearance of trees that that have been vandalized, storm damaged or have been severely pruned back. This service includes hedges and shrubs as well as trees.

Pollarding is a labour intensive technique which involves severe heading cuts the first year and sprout removal annually or every few years after. This keeps large growing trees to a modest size. Pollarding should be started when the tree is young and is not effective on all trees.

Crown Reduction (perimeter reduction) reduces the size of the tree by cutting branches back to the trunk or to laterals capable of sustaining the remaining branch.

Vista Pruning is selective removal or reduction of branches to allow a specific view from a predetermined point.

Topping (heading back) is the removal of the trees upper canopy, not usually recommended due to the following; it leads to tree stress, decay, sunscald, creates hazards from weakly attached shoots and is expensive due to maintenance.

Hedge Shearing is recommended in late spring for containment of new growth and again in late summer for dormant tidiness over the winter months.

Pruning for Fruit Production should be done in late winter or early spring. This usually involves reducing new shoots to fruiting spurs.

Espalier is the training of branches that are orientated on one plane, usually supported by a fence or wall.

Tree Removal is usually the last option where the tree has become too dangerous; it has out grown an area or is in an area due for construction. Ropes and even in the odd case cranes are needed to remove the tree from the property.