Pruning

We use only modern climbing techniques while climbing trees. We don’t utilize any large machinery or use spurs. Modern climbing techniques allow us to climb higher, climb faster, and above all climb safer; all without damaging the tree.

The pruning philosophy we adhere to avoids needlessly pruning trees. We focus on proactively reducing risks associated with trees, structurally pruning young saplings, rebuilding trees after they’ve been damaged by storms, and building/improving wildlife habitat in trees.

Avoiding Needless Pruning

Scientifically, and now (as of 2024) included in the updated A300 standards, the best pruning is the least amount of pruning. Not only does that save you money, it is in the best interest of the tree. Often times major tree surgery is not necessary.

Reducing Risks

It’s important to safely coexist with the trees. Pruning live wood from a tree is justified in cases where trees or branches present significant risk to the property that surrounds them. Simply removing entire branches doesn’t always reduce risks, sometimes it can make a tree more hazardous. Smaller cuts out at the ends of branches reduces their length, and makes them more mechanically sound, with minimal damage to the tree.

Structural Pruning on Young Trees

Mitigating risks can be costly when major tree surgery is required for a large or mature tree. But minor tree surgery when the tree is young and small can save tremendous amounts of money long term. When left unchecked, saplings will develop into their natural form. In some places trees should be allowed to develop this way. In other places, like next to the house, the tree’s structure can be developed to reduce the likelihood of future branch failures and breakages. Starting this process when the tree is young yields the best long term results.

Rebuilding Trees

Trees have remarkable ways of adapting to storm damage. With enough time, they rebuild themselves. The sprouts growing out of the trunks of trees are indicators of stress--the tree needs more leaves to generate the carbs it needs. You remember photosynthesis, right? These sprouts are called epicormic growths, and in time, they can be properly pruned to become full sized branches. More long term thinking here.

Wildlife Habitat

Trees provide habitat and food for a long list of animals. There are methods of pruning to encourage wildlife to visit your trees. Managing wildlife habitat in trees is a very specialized subset of tree care that is case-by-case. Trees damaged by storms often inadvertently become habitat for wildlife. It can be justified to replicate this damage in some trees, for example.