09 February 2012When deciding how your tree should be pruned, it is useful to know the following terms and what they achieve:
Crown lifting
Removal of low branches or parts of low branches to allow access, views or daylight below the tree's canopy.
Crown thinning
Selective removal of branches or parts of branches, evenly throughout the crown. This process will lessen the density of the crown potentially allowing more light to filter through the tree and may lessen wind resistance. This process does not markedly alter the tree's shape, size or general appearance.
Crown Cleaning
Involves the removal of dead, diseased, broken and/or rubbing branches within the crown. This pruning treatment is similar to Crown Thinning.
Crown Reduction
Shortening of overall branch length to a suitable growth point to reduce both the height and spread of the tree's crown. This treatment allows more light to pass over and around the tree. The amount of reduction carried out to any one crown is dependent on the species and its condition and age. Some species of tree can suffer dieback. Advice needs to be sought from a tree professional on what is good for your tree.
Dead wooding
Simply means the removal of dead wood from the tree.
Pollarding
This process means the complete removal of the crown leaving only the trunk remaining.
