Tree Trimming is an essential part of regular yard maintenance that enables healthy growth for all types of trees, shrubs, and hedges. It removes the limbs that overgrow and hinder growth, as well as those that hang over buildings or power lines, creating potential hazards on your property. Tree trimming can also improve the appearance of your home’s landscape and enhance its value.
A variety of pruning techniques are available for specific purposes, such as controlling tree size, removing deadwood, or promoting airflow. The most common pruning methods include crown reduction, crown cleaning/deadwooding, crown thinning, and pollarding (or reducing to a single stem).
Crown reduction is a selective cut that reduces the overall height of a mature tree without changing its crown shape. This method is best used on species that naturally grow with a single central leader. It is particularly effective in reducing the weight of heavy branches and promoting new growth. This type of pruning also helps to prevent storm damage.
The first cut is made on the underside of the branch to be removed, just inside the branch collar. This area has a slightly swollen, rougher bark and is the point where a callus will form once the branch is removed. A good rule of thumb is to cut just beyond this point and to avoid leaving a stub that can encourage decay. The second cut is made on the side of the stub where it meets the main branch. This will allow the stub to heal more quickly, as well as to provide support to the remaining branch. The final cut is on the top side of the stub, about an inch further out from the previous cut. This will allow the callus to form at a faster rate and prevent water damage to the bark.
When conducting a crown reduction, you must make three cuts on the branches you are removing to ensure proper healing and to minimize damage to the tree. Make the first cut close to the stub, about 18 inches up the underside of the branch being removed. This will provide a clean cut with little to no damage to the bark. The next cut should be on the top side of the stub, and the last on the outside of the collar. Using a pair of loppers for these cutting is highly recommended as the handles are easy to grip and operate, even by one person.
Thinning the crown involves reducing the density of a mature tree by removing specific branches to increase sunlight penetration and air circulation. It is commonly conducted on shade and fruit trees. When properly performed, thinning is more effective than topping because it doesn’t disrupt the tree’s natural branching habit.
The most important thing to remember when conducting thinning is to keep the number of removals consistent throughout the canopy. Removing too many lower branches can cause the trunk to girdle, which causes permanent scarring of the trunk and inhibits new growth. When thinning a mature tree, it is essential to remove only 10 to 20 percent of the total canopy area.
source https://climbingdutchman.wordpress.com/2025/07/13/tree-trimming-techniques/
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