Tree Maintenance Services in Palm Beach & Martin Counties

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 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 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.

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.