There are many different reasons to prune trees; safety, structure, aesthetics, clearance, fruit and flower production etc. We look at each tree individually while working with the client to achieve their desired goals, while at the same time taking the utmost care in the long term health of the tree.

When pruning trees we make sure that we follow all ANZI A300 standards. Each branch and each situation may have a different style of cut that needs to be made to optimize the efficiency in which the tree can close the wound. We also know each species and the proper timing to prune them so as we do not affect flowering or fruit production on certain species, or invite in certain invasive pests by pruning some species at certain times of the year.

Structural pruning- structural pruning is mainly for young trees. The goal is to eliminate branches which are growing at bad angles, rubbing on other branches, growing towards structures or power lines or may cause some other problem in the future, while they are small. We leave the best and healthiest branches so that as the tree matures it has the proper structure to avoid becoming a hazard or needing major pruning at maturity.

Dead wood pruning- Dead wood is branches of a tree that have died but are still attached to the tree. Over time these branches begin to decay and will eventually fall. These can sometimes be little twigs or large leaders but is a natural process of trees as they mature. Dead branches can fall at any time, even on a perfectly nice day and cause major damage to property or people if they are struck. We manually climb these trees to prune out the dead wood so we eliminate the hazard of the branches falling and also help the health of the tree by making it easier for the tree to compartmentalize the wound from the dead branch.

Weight Reduction Pruning- When trees are not properly structural pruned when they are young it can cause major defects on large scaffold branches in the crown of the tree. Excessive end weight, especially on certain species, very commonly can lead to large branch failure. Reducing weight on these branches helps alleviate some of the stress and pressure at the major branch unions. More often than not this type of pruning coincides with a cabling support system for the tree.

Crown Thinning- This pruning process is where 25-30% of interior branches are removed from the tree. The goal is to open up air flow throughout the crown so that foliage can properly dry and help avoid the spread of many foliar diseases. Crown thinning also helps to improve the aesthetics of certain species and can help induce flowering or fruit production.

Pruning for clearance- This is one of the most common goals that we are asked to achieve. Often plants are not always planted in the right place and encroach on buildings, power lines, driveways, or yards and need to be pruned so that we can live more comfortable around them and they do not damage our property by creating poor site conditions. There are certain ways to cut back these branches so that the overall shape of the tree is not butchered, new growth is directed away from the structure or space and not too much of the trees energy is used in compartmentalizing the wound.

Pruning to provide sunlight to lawn- This is another common goal that homeowners have. Pruning is not always the answer. We work very closely with our lawn technician to optimize the relationship between trees and turf. It may we start by tracking the amount of sunlight received to a certain area on a typical day. We then see if there is indeed branches or sometimes whole trees that provide shade to an area and determine how much extra sunlight the turf will see. We also assess the varieties of turf in your lawn and the condition of the turf and soil so that we can increase overall turf health, see if we can incorporate seed cultivars genetically engineered for shady areas, boost the overall health, and only if absolutely necessary prune or remove trees.

These are just some of the common types of pruning and goals of pruning that we encounter. Each tree is specific, and has specific needs so have us come assess your trees before making the decision to prune or remove and see how we can work with you to reach your goals in a way that is in the best interest of the long term health of your trees and property. Whether you have one small Japanese maple or are a 150 acre condominium complex no property is too big or small and any tree that is important to you is important to us.