Tree Pruning & Tree Trimming

Extend the life of your trees with professional and proper pruning techniques.

Tree Pruning & Tree Trimming

Reasons for Pruning Your Tree

Although forest trees grow quite well with only nature’s pruning, landscape trees require a higher level of care to maintain their safety and aesthetics. Pruning should be done with an understanding of how the tree responds to each cut. Improper pruning can cause damage that will last for the life of the tree, or worse, shorten the tree’s life.

Because each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree, no branch should be removed without a reason. Common reasons for pruning are to remove dead branches, to remove crowded or rubbing limbs, and to eliminate hazards. Trees may also be pruned to increase light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown or to the landscape below. In most cases, mature trees are pruned as a corrective or preventive measure.

Routine thinning does not necessarily improve the health of a tree. Trees produce a dense crown of leaves to manufacture the sugar used as energy for growth and development. Removal of foliage through pruning can reduce growth and stored energy reserves. Heavy pruning can be a significant health stress for the tree.

When to Prune Your Trees

Most routine pruning to remove weak, diseased, or dead limbs can be accomplished at any time during the year with little effect on the tree. As a rule, growth is maximized and wound closure is fastest if pruning takes place before the spring growth flush. Some trees, such as maples and birches, tend to “bleed” if pruned early in the spring. It may be unsightly, but it is of little consequence to the tree. A few tree diseases, such as oak wilt, can be spread when pruning wounds allow spores access into the tree. Susceptible trees should not be pruned during active transmission periods.

Heavy pruning just after the spring growth flush should be avoided. At that time, trees have just expended a great deal of energy to produce foliage and early shoot growth. Removal of a large percentage of foliage at that time can stress the tree.

Tree Pruning Techniques

Specific types of pruning may be necessary to maintain a mature tree in a healthy, safe, and attractive condition.

  • Cleaning is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached, and low-vigor branches from the crown of a tree.
  • Thinning is the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. Thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs, and helps retain the tree’s natural shape.
  • Raising removes the lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and vistas.
  • Reduction reduces the size of a tree, often for clearance for utility lines. Reducing the height or spread of a tree is best accomplished by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem). Compared to topping, reduction helps maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree.

How Much of The Tree Should Be Pruned?

A common mistake is to remove too much inner foliage and small branches. It is important to maintain an even distribution of foliage along large limbs and in the lower portion of the crown. Over-thinning reduces the tree’s sugar production capacity and can create tip-heavy limbs that are prone to failure.

The amount of live tissue that should be removed depends on the tree size, species, and age, as well as the pruning objectives. Younger trees tolerate the removal of a higher percentage of living tissue better than mature trees do. An important principle to remember is that a tree can recover from several small pruning wounds faster than from one large wound.

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Common Questions & Answers

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes and we are glad you asked. We are fully licensed and insured to provide tree services in Pennsylvania. Our memberships and affiliations include the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Tree Care Industry Association, and BBB.

It is highly recommended to choose an experienced tree removal company who can provide you with their credentials.

Our coverage also includes Workers' Compensation, which protects the homeowner and employee.

How much will the tree work cost?

One of the most common questions we get asked is the cost of having tree work done. The cost of tree work depends on a number of factors, such as:

  • The machinery and equipment needed to remove a tree, trim a tree, clear a lot, or other services
  • The time the tree work will take
  • The complexity of the job and size of the tree(s)
  • How many employees are needed for the job

Ultimately, our arborists cannot quote any tree service without seeing the job in question. However, we are happy to schedule an estimate at no cost to you.

Do you provide emergency tree services?

We do provide local emergency tree services. We have been known to rescue a few cats stuck in trees and have helped many neighbors with trees that have fallen due to severe weather.

Please don't hesitate to call. If we are able to help during an emergency, we certainly will!

What areas do you serve?

We mainly provide tree services in:

  • Coatesville, PA
  • Thorndale, PA
  • Downingtown, PA
  • Glenmoore, PA
  • Chester Springs, PA
  • Lionville, PA
  • Exton, PA
  • West Chester, PA
  • Marshallton, PA
  • West Goshen, PA
  • Malvern, PA
  • Paoli, PA
  • Frazer, PA
  • Wagontown, PA
  • Honey Brook, PA
  • Brandamore, PA
  • Parkesburg, PA
  • Pomeroy, PA
  • Sadsburyville, PA
  • Kennett Square, PA
  • Chadds Ford, PA

Do I need to be home when you're doing the tree work?

You can but it is not required. Please keep in mind that if it is raining or snowing, we will have to reschedule due to safety reasons.

Do You Need Tree Work? Contact us today.

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