Tree Pruning
Preservation Pruning
Large trees should be pruned regularly, especially in smaller spaces such as an urban yard. The focus of preservation pruning is to allow a large tree to continue to exist in a way that is safe, beneficial, and sustainable. This may be as simple as removing dead branches and creating some space between the tree and the roof. In some cases, it will require extensive technical work to remove excessive weight at the tips of branches or installing a cable, thus reducing wind forces that can cause branch failure. We typically do not promote or perform large limb removals in mature trees unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons. Large cuts are more difficult for mature trees to recover from, and can introduce decay that can cause long term safety issues. Skilled climbing and rigging techniques allow us to the goal of keeping a tree safe - and healthy!
Ornamental and Shrub Pruning
Ornamental trees can be a focal point in your yard. They do require specific pruning techniques. Our objective is to balance the canopy, mitigate conflicts with nearby structures, reduce the weight on over extended limbs, and promote better air flow to help lower the risk of fungal diseases.
Shrubs prefer natural pruning cycles over shaping with hedge trimmers. Removing larger old canes and making appropriate reduction cuts will help keep the size of a shrub in check, and will encourage healthy growth from the base of the plant.
Because many of our ornamental trees can be susceptible to leaf spot and rust diseases, we highly recommend scheduling ornamental pruning during the dormant season.
Structure Pruning
Structure pruning is a great way to invest in the long term health of your younger trees! If you have a newer landscape or have planted a tree in the past several years, structure pruning is a way to help train the tree to grow a central leader. Once established after planting (typically 2-3 years), young trees are vigorous growers, allowing them to better seal over pruning cuts and achieve a healthy structure without removing large branches. Small to midsize trees in urban backyards are great candidates for this type of pruning. Establishing good structure when the tree is a manageable size can dramatically reduce long-term issues.