Types of Tree Surgery
Tree Pruning
Tree pruning work may be required to repair damage or remove dangerous branches, to balance, lighten or improve the shape of the crown, or to provide clearance. Whatever the reason, the object should be to overcome a particular problem with the minimum of pruning whilst retaining as natural a shape as possible.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is designed to lighten the crown to allow more light to penetrate and to leave an even, well-balanced branch structure. It involves the removal of weak, thin and crossing branches and as many secondary branches as necessary to achieve the desired level of thinning. This is usually expressed as a percentage of the overall crown. Normally a 25%-30% thinning is regarded as the maximum amount acceptable.
Crown Lifting
Crown lifting involves the removal of lower branches to provide a desired amount of clearance above ground level. This can be achieved either by the removal of the whole branch or only those parts which extend below the desired height.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction is a method of reshaping the crown of a tree to make it smaller by cutting back all branches to a suitable side bud or fork. It is a technique best used on broad crowned trees but it is not suitable for some (e.g. beech and birch) which tend to die-back from the cuts. Reduction needs to be carried out with care and is not recommended as a regular treatment.