Dead Pruning, also known as crown cleaning, is the most basic trimming type involving the removal of dead branches intended to improve the tree’s overall appearance.

A good maintenance tactic to keep in mind is carefully monitoring when dead branches fall and remove them immediately. Early removal helps minimize injury or damage to surrounding property. Also, it helps prevent sick or diseased branches from infecting others, while at the same time improving the aesthetics of the tree.

Crown Thinning allows more light and air into the tree after removing weak secondary branches to create a balanced crown, without changing its appearance or size. In addition to allowing more light through the canopy, removing dead or weakened limbs also helps reduce the weight of heavy branches. Crown thinning is another maintenance step to include your regular care schedule.

Crown Lifting means removing or cutting off the lower branches of the tree crown to trim down the larger limbs’ mass. Crown lifting helps with clearing sidewalks and roads, including those that might interfere with your home, too.

For younger trees, crown lifting is effective and recommended instead of on mature trees because removing limbs could introduce advanced decaying in the area and lead to long-term issues.

Crown Reduction lowers the tree’s overall height because the focus is on removing terminal branches to preserve the main limb. Trained personnel are qualified to perform this type of tree trimming because they understand the tree growth pattern. Proper crown reduction allows the tree to thrive later, and dramatically lowers the risk of decaying after pruning.

Pollarding involves removing the upper branches and leaving a framework of the secondary branches of the main stem. It promotes the growth of a dense head of foliage and branches. Pollarding starts when the tree is young and then performed at regular intervals over the tree’s life.