TREE PRUNING

Tree Pruning (or tree trimming) is the most common tree care procedure. It contributes to healthy and strong trees, but requires great care and experience. At Royal Tree Service we understand how trees and shrubs will respond to different types of pruning treatments. We also understand how properly maintained trees can add value to your property.

Improper pruning can easily damage a tree, or even kill it. Tree species will respond differently to the various pruning cuts, and this makes the location, angle and size of each cut important and species-specific.

Urban trees require regular pruning to maintain their integrity and aesthetic contribution to the environment, but nothing should be removed without a good reason. Trees need a dense crown of leaves for their growth and development, and unnecessary pruning can create significant health stress.

At Royal Tree Service we carefully consider the tree’s biology before cutting out any branches.

Most Common Tree Pruning Treatments

SANITATION PRUNE Pruning specifically for the removal of dead, diseased or otherwise unhealthy wood and crossing, crowded or poorly attached branches.
CLEARANCE PRUNE Creating space around wires, roofs and other infrastructure. When choosing the clearance distance, the regrowth rate and the bending of branches caused by snow and ice are taken into account.
CROWN THINNING Selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, usually to reduce shade on pools. There are specific limitations to what is possible, as too much pruning causes the tree to react and compensate by rapidly producing numerous leaves.
CROWN RAISE / VISTA PRUNE Improving views obstructed by branches or enabling the passage of lawn mowers, cars, etc.
CROWN REDUCTION / END-WEIGHT REDUCTION This pruning treatment is one of the most complicated and requires a lot of experience to get it done correctly. Trees often have weaknesses in their lower portions, often due to natural growth issues or decay from damage. This treatment reduces the end weight on the limb, thereby reducing the lever action on the weak area. It is an excellent way to reduce the risk of tree failure and lengthen a tree's life. It is often accompanied by the installation of a supporting cable.
CROWN RESTORATION Some trees are still being topped by old-school tree cutters. Trees react to be topped by rapidly re-growing the crown. Within a few years, the crown is as tall as it was before topping, but has many more branches and leaves. This crowding and the decay in the cut area lead to dense shadows and the gradual collapse of that crown area. Restoration involves the selective removal of specific branches to try to train the tree to have a more normal crown again.

Warning

Do not allow the top of the tree to be removed as a way to control its height. For a word of warning about Topping a Tree, click here.

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