Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Trees in landscaped areas require a high level of care to maintain their safety and aesthetics. Pruning should be done by a professional with an understanding of how the tree responds to each cut as improper pruning can cause damage that will last for the life of the tree, or worse, shorten the tree's life-span.
Because each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree, no branch should be removed without a reason.
This procedure involves reducing the overall size of the tree. Using a combination of reduction and thinning, this will allow you to keep a tree which would otherwise outgrow it's position. It is often used on older trees in order to improve their stability and extend their life-span.
This operation is used to reduce the sail of the tree. It will help the tree to cope with strong winds. By removing some of the intermittent and crossing branches, it will allow the air to move more freely through the tree and also help light to enter the tree to promote a healthier growth.
Raising is the pruning operation to raise the crown (the head of the tree). It involves the removal of lower branches which will increase the distance between the base of the canopy and the ground. This is usually carried out to improve access or enable visibility without having to remove the tree. This operation is best carried out before a tree is fully mature, in order to avoid any large unsightly wounds.
This involves the removal of dead, diseased and damaged branches. Cleaning out is the removal of foreign objects and intrusive plants, such as Ivy.
In most cases, trees are pruned as a corrective or preventative measure. Proper pruning can ensure good tree health and structure while enhancing the appearance and value of our landscapes.
A pruned tree branch