Preethy Thomas
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Sometimes, natural growth isn’t the best thing for your tree. From wayward branches to crowding other trees or structures, there will be times when it’s necessary to trim back or prune a tree. But through services like crown thinning or raising, a local trusted arborist can help you maintain your deciduous tree’s overall appearance and health.
Often done together, these pruning methods focus on different parts of your tree to reduce the bulkiness of the canopy, provide better clearance, and improve the health of your tree.
Tree crown thinning is the process of removing select branches from a tree’s canopy in order to thin out the foliage and allow more light and air to penetrate through the tree. This type of pruning focuses on the upper portion of the tree in order to maintain its overall shape and health.
Crown thinning isn’t to be confused with crown reduction, as crown reduction involves reducing the overall size of the tree's canopy by pruning back the branches to decrease its height and spread. While in crown thinning, you are reducing the density of the tree's crown by selectively removing branches and foliage to allow more light and air to penetrate through the canopy, unlike crown reduction, it does not aim to alter the shape or size of the tree's canopy. Crown thinning is primarily done to improve the tree's health and overall structure.
Crown thinning is nothing like tree topping. While tree topping refers to the indiscriminate removal of a significant portion of the leafy crown or canopy, crown thinning is a selective pruning technique that involves removing specific branches to reduce the density of the crown while maintaining its natural shape in order to promote better health.
Tree topping, on the other hand, does not improve the tree’s health. In fact, it’s harmful to the tree, and can lead to a weakened structure and increased vulnerability to disease and pests. It's important to prioritize proper pruning techniques, such as crown thinning or crown raising, that promote the tree's natural growth and long-term health.
Tree crown raising, or crown lifting, refers to the process of removing the lower branches on a tree, creating the appearance of a raised canopy, and this type of tree pruning method is done with the goal of providing better access and clearance beneath the tree.
While crown raising may also give the appearance of a reduced canopy, unlike crown thinning and crown reduction, which involve upper limb and entire canopy respectively, crown raising is focused on the select removal of lower branches to improve vertical clearance beneath the tree rather than reducing the overall shape of the canopy. This technique is commonly employed to address issues related to height restrictions or obstructed views.
However, crown raising may not work well for every tree. Tree branches stemming off low on the trunk may not respond well to crown raising because of the potential for weak attachment points and structural instability. Removing too many low limbs can add stress to the top of the tree, especially during windstorms, as there’s no counteracting balance to prevent the tree from breaking or falling. Additionally, limbs that are too large are not good candidates for removal, as they play a crucial role in the overall stability and health of the tree.
Because of these restrictions, it is often better to perform crown raising on young trees, and to remove or thin out only a few branches at a time, allowing the tree to adjust gradually and minimizing stress.
Both crown thinning and crown raising are a form of maintenance, helping to keep your tree in its best condition and preventing potential hazards, keeping both your tree and your property safe. These services are often done in tandem, as they both contribute to the overall health and appearance of the tree while focusing on different areas. By maintaining a proper balance of foliage density and lifting lower branches, the tree can thrive while minimizing risks.
Some of the benefits of crown thinning and raising include:
Crown thinning and crown raising can improve your tree’s health by promoting better airflow and light penetration, reducing the risk of disease and improving the overall aesthetics of the tree. A cumbersome, heavy, or sagging canopy can prevent the tree from receiving adequate sunlight and hinder its growth potential. By strategically thinning or raising the crown, the tree can thrive with a more balanced and functional canopy.
These forms of pruning can also help prevent disease or pest infestations, as they create an environment that is less conducive to the growth and spread of pathogens or pests. Pruning can lessen the risk of disease by removing dead limbs or decaying branches. By getting rid of these branches through crown thinning or raising, more resources can be allocated to healthier branches and growth and fighting off diseases. Pests are also less likely to thrive in a well-pruned tree, as the removal of dead or diseased branches eliminates potential habitats and food sources.
Additionally, for flowering or fruit trees, crown raising or crown thinning can help increase production of blooms or fruits by allowing more sunlight to reach the lower branches, stimulating the tree's reproductive processes, resulting in a healthier and more fruitful tree.
By removing or reducing heavy branches, you can increase safety around your tree. Crown raising removes lower branches, providing clearance and preventing head injuries from whacking against lower branches. Crown thinning reduces the density of the upper branches and heavy limbs, allowing for better air movement and reducing the risk of branch breakage during storms.
Additionally, removing broken branches or dead tissue in your tree helps to strengthen it by reducing stress levels and diverting resources to strengthen healthy branches, helping to improve limb strength and preventing further damage.
Crown thinning and crown raising allow for sunlight to reach the lower parts of your tree easier. This not only can improve its own health, but improves the health of the surrounding ground and yard.
A heavy canopy of leaves lessens the amount of light and other resources from hitting the ground. This in turn prevents growth of nearby grass or surrounding foliage, and can create a damp and shady environment underneath the canopy. While trees are expected to provide some shade, too much can have a detrimental effect on its surroundings, hindering the growth of plants and ultimately impacting the entire food chain.
As both crown thinning and crown raising helps thin out or reduce the canopy, this creates more opportunities for light to get through and hit the ground, promoting healthier growth among the understory vegetation, improving air circulation, and reducing the risk of disease or pest infestations.
While the goal of most tree pruning services is to promote the health of your tree, a natural consequence of crown thinning and crown raising is improving the shape of your tree. A tree that’s undergone one or both services will have a less dense canopy that isn’t as sprawling or low to the ground as before. This helps it appear healthier and tidier, while providing more room around your tree and better access to surrounding plants, areas and views.
It can be hard to navigate around a tree with a dense canopy or low-hanging branches. By removing or reducing these through crown thinning or raising, you can improve accessibility around your tree.
Crown thinning provides better access to the top of your tree, while crown raising removes cumbersome lower branches that may get in your way. These services, especially when removing lower branches, can provide ease-of-access around your tree, providing clearance for foot traffic, vehicles, and structures. When your tree has a more open canopy, it’s easier to navigate around, as there’s less risk of branches obstructing pathways or structures.
When you have an ISA-licensed arborist performing crown thinning or raising, your tree's health and well-being are their top priority. While many Edmonton homeowners can prune their own trees, you have to be careful of where and how much you cut. Cutting too much off your tree can harm its health, and cutting the wrong branch at the wrong time could result in further injury to your or the trees. A professional arborist will be able to tell which branches to trim back or get rid of, and do so safely while benefiting the health of your tree.
If you’re interested in crown thinning or raising services, contact the experts at Trusty Tree In Edmonton and the surrounding area to see how we can help improve the health and appearance of your trees. With our arborists’ extensive knowledge and experience, Trusty Tree will ensure that your crown thinning or raising service is done efficiently and with utmost care.
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What a fantastic crew!!! Sarah & Shane came and trimmed my rather large tree. Such a professional, knowledgeable, caring, capable and courteous crew. Very well done from beginning to end.They did a fabulous job!
Trusty Trees did their magic at my Mothers house in Fort Saskatchewan. Mikex2 we’re on time, organized and knew their business. Gave the trees a good haircut as they had a lot of dead areas. Very pleased with their service, would definitely recommend them! Much thanks Mike and Mike.
We had a crew from Trusty tree services to come and remove 6, 40 foot aspen trees. They did an awesome job. They were very knowledgeable and very considerate of our property and our neighbours property. They had our yard and neighbours yards totally cleaned up when they were finished. I would highly recommend Trusty Tree Services
We had a crew from Trusty Tree Services trim three trees on our property a few weeks ago, sorry for the late review. Couldn't be happier with the whole process. From the estimate to the final clean up, everything went very well. I contacted other companies for estimates, didn't even get a call back. Thanks again Trusty Tree for a great job!
Trusty Tree Services came out and pruned our Amur Cherry tree in Fort Saskatchewan and did a great job. The technicians were knowledgeable and gave me tips on how to better take care of our tree. The technicians were friendly and polite and cleaned up before they left. I would definitely recommend Trusty Tree Service!
Excellent job! I highly recommend this company. I will be calling again this fall! I am very happy.
We had an amazing experience with Trusty Tree. They gave a prompt estimate for some very difficult trees in our campground. They arrived on time and began work immediately. Their expertise shone through as they brought down the trees on point! Friendly, informative, professional and outstanding workmanship. I would recommend them in a heartbeat. Shout out to Colton, Joe and Adrian - great work!
We had Trusty Tree out this year to shape and thin 4 trees and 3 Mugo Pine shrubs. I was impressed with a quick appt for the quote and then quick response for booking. Our trees were pruned earlier in the season as this was the recommended timeframe, and the Mugo Pine shrubs pruned later in the spring after the new growth appeared. I'm pleased with the crew that came out, they were polite, professional and experienced. We are happy with how our trees and shrubs look and feel the price was fair. We would definitely recommend Trusty Tree and will have them back in the future. Thanks for taking extra time with us to talk about proper pruning too!
Very professional and courteous crew. Difficult tree to cut down with bucket truck given clearances.
I am a new widow and my yard work is so overwhelming, I called Trusty tree to come over and give me a quote. Because my husband who has slways been in love with taking great care of our home,has passed I am here to do it alone.Trusty tree are the most professional people I dealt with..And they actually had the most professional quote,they took pictures of my Tree to elaborate on what needed to be done,and explained why everything had to be done in a certain way...after 3 other companies coming out I realized that Trusty Trees quote was extremely fair. So when the Trusty Tree crew arrived to prune my beloved tree, they were ready, and really understood the sentimental value of my tree that my late husband and I used to sit under every night. The crew members Joe and Shane collaborated beautifully brought down the required amount of my tree..They had a fantastic chipper on site and they also cleaned up the yard so beautifully after the cutting was done...If anyone reads this review,please understand how much that tree meant to me and my late husband. Joe and Shane gave it a loving and caring trim, and they where not only hard working but very informative of the process,and very just great guys,they included their sense of humor to make the trimming process easier on me. THEY were so compasionate and understanding . I thank them for that..... If you are thinking of pruning your gorgeous beloved tree, Trusty Tree has got be your only choice. THESE GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! My name is Christine and if anyone wants to contact me about what a great job this crew did..please do!!!
Trusty Tree is a great place to work. Management is caring and hardworking. Equipment is of high quality and maintained professionally. Smooth operation and always great communication between management and team members.Looking for a place to work? This is the place.
I highly recommend Trusty Tree Services! From start to finish everything was handled promptly, professionally and courteously! They are very knowledgeable and efficient. I really liked how they explained things. We will definitely have them back for some fall work. Thanks to everyone!
We were sad to see our tree go, but it wasn’t well and bigger and bigger branches were breaking off; however our Trusty Tree Arborists did a great job. Thanks to @Sarah and @Michael and thanks for the excellent service Trusty Tree.
Excellent, prompt, efficient and professional service. Team was very pleasant to work with. In and out in no time. Clean worksite. Would definitely recommend.
The services provided were both reasonably priced and work done was excellent!
Very fast professional and thorough work done on both my experiences with Trusty tree Service. Good cleanups and answered all questions. They made valid suggestions which I appreciated. Thank you.
Excellent experience. Very knowledgeable experienced crew. Safety is a priority .Highly recommend . Great Job!
Thanks to Mike and the crew for doing a great job on Grenfell Ave St Albert. Very professional service.
Fantastic! The team did an excellent job pruning and shaping our trees. Thank you
This was the second time I've used this company for mature tree removal. This time 4 fully grown columnar Aspen trees located close to fencing, a deck and between 2 houses were successfully removed with no damage to the aforementioned structures but also nearby concrete curbing. Work was done as scheduled, quickly and neatly. Very satisfied with the work.
Great service by the guys at Trusty Tree Services. Very professional and knowledgeable. They really knew their stuff about how to properly prune each type of tree in our yard. Our trees look so much better now and will have the opportunity to thrive. Good care for our garden ornaments and great cleanup afterwards.Thank-you
Mike And Shay trimmed 11 trees in and around our complex this morning and did an amazing job. They were professional and punctual. Arrived on time, very efficient and ensured that all branches were clean up before leaving. Very pleasant to work with and we look forward to working with Trusty Tree Service over the summer and fall.
The gentlemen took down a long dead tree YAY !!!! Professional, honest and did a super job THX !!!!
Sarah was very knowledgeable and walked us through the options of our tree removal. The team was friendly and overall a great experience. Would highly recommend Trusty Tree Services.
I look for three things when it comes to service: 1) friendly attitude, 2) timeliness, and 3) efficiency. The crew were excellent in all three scores. It was great to see a clean truck, maintained gear, and use of personal protective equipment as well. This is a great choice for tree care. Done in less than an hour!!!
Mike’s crew did an amazing job for us - pruned trees & removed every visible black knot fungus. They picked up every twig & left our yard tidy. Very personal & professional crew - would strongly recommend their services ! 👍
Sarah and crew were here this morning and did one terrific job of trimming all of our trees. I highly recommend them to everyone needing any tree services done.
Sarah and Danny did a great job removing a large tree from the front of my yard. I was impressed with the time efficiency and clean up. I would recommend.
When Trevor came to quote my yard at my new house, he helped me identify all the trees and shrubs, and clearly explained what work needed to be done. When the day came to do the work, Kolton and Carl were friendly and also walked me through what they were doing and why (I'm interested in these things and was asking questions). They did their best to save my cherry that is infected with black knot. Looking forward to having them come back to continue tree maintenance in the future.
We had trusty trees! Cut down our tree and put all new grass down in our back yard and it's absolutely beautiful 😊 Also the crew are very friendly and extremely hard workers! Thank again ❣️
Excellent value for the work they provide. Our crew was very professional and cleaned up the area they chipped in, right down to the pavement.
Trusty Tree is great. Had them remove two trees with cleanup and shredding. looks great and would use again!
We had a tree in our yard that had died a few years earlier and wasn’t sure who to call. We called Sunstar who recommended Trusty Tree to us. Trevor came out to look at our tree. We didn’t realize we had another Tree that was diseased. He sent us a quote very quickly. He was able to book a time for tree removal, stump grinding, as well as planting our new trees. The project was done in the timeline provided. The crews showed up on time or earlier than expected which was amazing! They were very professional. I would hire Trusty Tree again!
Excellent service. Good response time and automatic communication / payment system. Work was done effectively and efficiently.
Fantastic experience, staff was friendly and prompt. Left our acreage clean and tidy. Defiantly recommend Trusty Tree.
Great service, Always happy to please. The team is great excellent at cleaning up and making everything look great. Highly recommend Trusty Tree.
Trusty tree has been doing work for a condo association for the last few years. They are always reliable, and thorough and easy to deal with.