Tree Trimming & Pruning | Enhance Tree Health | ArborCentric Solutions
Trees that grow in forests survive just fine without pruning. So why should we prune/trim trees growing on our property and other more urban environments?
Forest trees are closely surrounded by other trees. This creates competition for sunlight, forcing trees to grow taller in order to avoid being shaded by the neighboring trees. Lower limbs that do get shaded eventually die back creating a natural pruning process. This competition and natural pruning greatly influence tree form causing forest trees to naturally develop a strong central main stem or leader. This strong central leader is the key to their longevity and storm-resilience.
The opposite is true for urban grown trees. They grow in far less crowded environments and enjoy unlimited access to sunlight. Their form takes on a short and more rounded appearance because their limbs, unimpeded by nearby trees, are now allowed to grow overly large and long. These large limbs can inhibit growth in the central leader causing even more growth to extend outward. Usually, multiple leaders develop in urban trees causing what is known as codominant stems. Overly large limbs and codominant stems are major causes for tree failure.
This is why regular pruning is essential for the health and stability of our urban trees. By taking a thoughtful approach to tree pruning, we can achieve many benefits, including:
At ArborCentric Solutions, we are passionate about tree care. We also continuously seek new knowledge and training so we’re up to date on the latest techniques and advancements in our industry. We value your trees and are committed to helping you maintain their health and beauty. We prioritize our commitments to safety, customer experience, and professionalism to ensure our services always exceed your expectations.
Crown Reduction
This pruning reduces the height or spread of a tree that has overgrown its space, encroaching on your house, or outcompeting nearby landscaping, for example. It also reduces the length of the offending branches. To do this properly, the arborist will trim the offending branch back to the next available lateral branch that is at least 1/3 of the diameter of the parent branch. This lateral branch will be of sufficient size to maintain the necessary apical dominance and ensure it can sustain the remaining branch.
Crown Raising
Crown raising involves removing or trimming the lowest branches to provide additional ground clearance under the tree. It is used, for example, when you need to increase the line of sight or raise so pedestrians and vehicles can egress more safely beneath. This method is best performed on younger trees before the limbs become too large in diameter, as waiting until they’ve become larger creates more significant wounds on the trunk that may not heal. Another good rule of thumb is to remove no more than 1/3 of the overall crown height.
Crown Thinning
This approach aims to increase light penetration and air movement through the tree canopy and reduce limb weight. Increased light penetration stimulates the healthy growth of interior limbs and eliminates shade on the ground beneath. In Florida, increased air movement through the tree may help reduce storm damage. Achieved by reducing the density of live branches in the outer canopy of a tree, this trimming reduces clumps of foliage that have the same effect as windsails while also reducing weight on heavy limbs. This method prevents structural failure while retaining the tree’s natural shape when performed correctly.
Remember, true crown thinning targets the most critical trim areas found near branch ends, interior limbs are best left on so they can continue to contribute to tree health.
Structural Pruning
Structural pruning trains young and medium-aged trees to develop strong central leaders and proper branch architecture. This involves selectively removing branches to encourage the growth of a dominant central leader and well-distributed branches, improving the overall structure. Branches of poor quality and wrong location can be removed, with branches of adequate size and proper spacing left to establish. It is also the best time to select and promote your eventual lowest permanent branch, considering how much vertical clearance you may desire when the tree matures.
We enjoy very mild winters in South Florida so trees here are not subject to major periods of dormancy that other more northern trees endure. We can therefore prune trees at any time of the year here.
Our advice for when to trim trees is to do so before June 1st, the official start of hurricane season. Well-pruned trees are proven to better withstand storms. Avoid the last-minute rush of hurricane preparations by having your trees trimmed several months in advance. Taking a proactive approach will provide you with greater peace of mind during storm season.
Our pruning promotes strong tree structure and good health. Contact us for all tree trimming and pruning needs.
We partner with residential, commercial, and HOA property owners providing knowledgeable tree care services dedicated to ensuring your tree’s continued health and beauty.