Your Guide to Important Pruning Terms: Insights from a Tree Pruning Contractor in Bannockburn, Illinois

Tree pruning has its own language. You will hear certain words used a lot, and they can sound technical at first. But if you know what those words mean, it becomes easier to understand what your trees truly need.

Below, this tree pruning contractor in Bannockburn, Illinois is going to explain four important pruning techniques: thinning, raising, reduction, and shaping. Each one is used for a different purpose, and by knowing when and why they are used, you can take better care of your trees.

Thinning

Thinning is when you remove small branches, mostly from the outer parts of the tree. This is done to open the canopy without changing the tree’s natural shape. Thinning makes space for air and light to pass through, and it even reduces weight on heavier limbs.

Thinning keeps the tree healthy and can also prevent damage during storms. A lighter canopy means the wind has less to push against, so branches are less likely to break.

Professional standards like ANSI A300 list thinning as one of the main pruning methods. It is known to reduce risk, protect tree health, and maintain a natural appearance.

A certified tree pruning contractor in Bannockburn, Illinois will know which small branches to cut to keep the tree balanced. They will take the weight off larger limbs without making the tree look bare. The result is a tree that looks natural but is more resistant to weather damage.

Raising

Raising is when you cut off lower branches to clear space under the tree. This is usually done to make room for sidewalks or driveways.

But you need to be careful. Don’t remove too much at once. Ideally, you should keep live branches on at least two-thirds of the tree’s height. This will keep the tree strong and stable.

Leaving some lower branches also helps the trunk grow thicker. Removing large limbs all at once can make the tree weaker.

Raising is best done slowly, over time. That is the reason certified tree pruning contractors do it in steps. They know how to clear space while keeping the tree healthy and stable.

Reduction

Reduction is used to shorten a tree’s height or spread. It is usually done when branches are getting too close to roofs, wires, or other structures on your property.

Reduction is not the same as topping. Topping cuts off the top of the tree. But in reduction, cuts are made to side branches that are strong enough to take over. These side branches should be at least one-third the size of the branch you are removing.

This pruning method keeps the tree’s natural shape and prevents large open wounds. It also slows regrowth, so pruning does not need to happen as frequently.

Reduction should always be done carefully. Different trees react differently to reduction, so it is important to know what each one can handle. Any good tree pruning contractor will already know which trees can take reduction cuts and how to make them safely.

Shaping

Shaping helps young trees grow with strong, balanced structure. It is usually done in the first few years after planting.

This is done to help the tree grow with one main trunk and evenly spaced branches. This prevents weak spots or branches from growing too close to each other.

Removing competing branches early also prevents the development of co-dominant stems. These are twin branches that grow next to each other and can split or break as the tree gets older.

Shaping also helps the tree resist damage and grow into a mature shape.

A professional tree pruning contractor in Bannockburn, Illinois will know how to shape a tree without overdoing it. They will prune just enough to help the tree grow strong, while keeping enough leaves so that the tree gets the energy it needs.

Looking for a Tree Pruning Contractor in Bannockburn, Illinois?

Do you want your trees to look their best and stay healthy for many years? If so, and if you are ready to work with the best tree care contractor in Bannockburn, Illinois, look no further than Brown Tree Service, Inc. Our team of ISA Certified Arborists will properly prune your trees so they stay strong, safe, and beautiful. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.