Good pruning is selective. The goal is not to strip the canopy or indiscriminately shorten the top of a mature tree, but to address specific structural, clearance and deadwood concerns while retaining a functional canopy.
Common reasons to prune
- Remove dead, broken or damaged branches
- Improve clearance from roofs, driveways and structures
- Reduce specific structural defects where appropriate
- Manage storm-damaged limbs
- Improve access and visibility without unnecessary canopy loss
Why we do not recommend topping
Tree topping removes large portions of the crown and can trigger weakly attached regrowth, large wounds and long-term structural problems. Pruning should have a defined objective and use appropriate cuts.
When should trees be pruned?
The best timing depends on species, condition and the pruning objective. Dead or dangerous branches can require attention regardless of season. For species-specific questions, an assessment is preferable to applying one rule to every tree.