All about Tree Pruning

Often confused with tree trimming, tree pruning is the art of removing tree branches, foliage or leaves exclusively for safety and health purposes in regards to the tree. Improving the appearance of a tree is sometimes also associated with pruning even though it is the major factor when it comes to tree trimming.

Tree pruning is subdivided into crown thinning, crown lifting, heading back cut and crown reduction. Crown thinning refers to removing some branches and foliage to allow light to penetrate through a tree to trigger growth and openness. Crown thinning also discourages snakes from breeding in a tree.

Crown lifting refers to the cutting down of lower shaggy and overgrown branches for safety purposes. Such branches can be a distraction to pedestrians or might even fall off easily causing harm to people and property. Lifting can also be done to enhance the appearance of a tree. Crown reduction or topping is simply reducing the size of a tree’s height or width or both. This can be done to reduce shade at a property or to create a larger clearance area at a homestead. Heading back cut involves cutting the top of a tree to increase its strength and density.

​The following guidelines will help you if you plan on pruning tree or if you just want to educate yourself about tree trimming techniques.

1. Crown thinning. If you plan to crown thin, keep the lateral branches as evenly spaced as possible, prune away branches crossing each other and never remove more than one-fourth of a crown at once.
2. Crown lifting. If you cut away too many branches at the bottom, the tree may not develop a strong stem. Maintain live branches on least two-thirds of the tree height.
3. Crown reduction. If you plan to remove half or more foliage on a tree branch, just cut away the whole branch. Cutting away half or more foliage on a branch will definitely kill it.
4. Heading back cut. It is advisable that you let a tree grow to the desired height before cutting its top since it might not grow again in height.

For any assistance with all your tree pruning or trimming need in Las Vegas, give Las Vegas Tree Trimmers a call. 

​Las Vegas Tree Trimmers
​5354 Lindell Rd. Apt. 1111
Las Vegas, NV 89118
(702) 793-2711