Tree Pruning Approaches

Pruning for Structure (Structure Pruning)

Structural pruning is the removal of live branches and stems to influence the orientation, spacing, growth rate, strength of attachment, and ultimate size of branches and stems. Structural pruning is used on young and medium sized trees to help engineer a sustainable trunk and branch attachment.

Pruning to Clean (Crown Cleaning)

Cleaning is the selective removal of dead, diseased, detached and broken branches. Cleaning is used to reduce the risk of branches falling from the tree and to reduce the movement of decay, insects, and diseases form dead or dying branches from the rest of the tree.

Pruning to Raise (Crown Raising)

Raising is the selective removal of branches to provide vertical clearance. Crown raising shortens or removes lower branches of a tree to provide clearances for buildings, signs, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas.

Pruning to Thin (Crown Thinning)

Thinning is the selective removing of small live branches to reduce crown density. Because the majority of small branches are at the outside edge of the crown, thinning is focused on that area. Proper thinning is focused on that area. Proper thinning retains crown shape and should provide even distribution of foliage thoughout the crown.

Pruning to Reduce (Crown Reduction)

Reduction is the selective removal of branches and stems to decrease the height and/or spread of a tree or shrub. This type of pruning is done to minimize the risk of failure, to reduce the height or spread, for utility clearance, to clear vegetation from buildings or other structures, or to improve the appearance of the plant.