Tree Pruning
There are many reasons to prune a tree, and different ways to achieve the right result for your tree. Some are highly beneficial, others can be completely detrimental. It is important you get the right advice from professional Arborists, ones that care about what they do, take pride in their work and most of all, do so with integrity.
Tree pruning is rarely performed for 'tree health' reasons, what is done above ground is negligible in that respect. Quality tree pruning is more a solution to your needs than the trees own. The best results will come from an Arborist that has the best understanding of your concerns. We will use our expertise and knowledge of the science of Arboriculture to provide you with the best solution that offers long term value.
All our pruning is performed to Australian Standards. We have no interest in performing tree cutting such as Lopping or Topping, as these practices are shunned upon in the modern day tree industry and are a short-sighted approach, performed for the ill-informed public by uneducated tree cutters and is not the work of professional Arborists.
Types of pruning
Crown Reduction
To reduce the height, spread and volume of a canopy all over by shortening branches and leaders back to suitable smaller interior branches.
Crown Lifting
To raise the lower canopy by removing some of the lowest branches. Usually to give more physical clearance over footpaths, driveways or lawns and can also be done to offer more light penetration to a garden below.
Crown Thinning
To reduce canopy density by selectively removing secondary branches throughout the interior of the crown. Usually done to offer more light penetration to a garden below or enhance the appearance of an otherwise overly dense, unruly tree. Care must be taken not to over-thin or encourage 'lions-tails' where only tufts of foliage remain towards the branch tips.
Clearance Pruning
To reduce or remove branches as required to provide physical clearance of a certain target. Usually to maintain distance from utility service wires, gutters, roof line or of trees over boundaries of neighbouring properties.
Selective Pruning
To remove certain identified branches for a specific reason. This is more often to make a tree fit with the clients needs than it is for an improvement in the trees own structure or health.
Weight Reduction
To reduce the length of over-extended, end-heavy lateral branches throughout the canopy. Done for the same reasons as Crown Reduction, but is limited to only the more lateral branches, and does not include reduction of the height of leading stems in the upper canopy. This is our primary pruning method to improve safety and reduce risk of failing branches in trees.
Formative Pruning
To reduce or remove branches as required. To correct or prevent structural defects and encourage good form. Often done on juvenile trees to prevent many of the above pruning requirements in later years.
Remedial Pruning
To reduce or remove branches as required to correct structural defects and restore a foundation for future growth. Usually done on mature trees to repair damage after major failures from storm events, other mechanical damage or previous poor 'pruning' practices.
Crown Cleaning
To remove dead branches ‘deadwood’ and stubs from previous failures or poor 'pruning' throughout the canopy. This type of pruning is often combined with any of the above pruning types, however some trees require only this.