Mature trees are an important part of any urban forest. They offer benefits which include improved air quality, lower consumption of energy, storm water runoff reduction and so much more. Older trees offer more benefits than their younger counterparts which is why tree maintenance is critical. Mature tree pruning is an important part of urban tree care, and Five Star Tree Services wants to explain why.
What Is a Tree Crown Reduction?
The crown of the tree holds the most weight, especially on mature trees. A crown reduction is a specific type of tree pruning that helps reduce this weight from the branch ends. By pruning the crown to a growing lateral branch, it gives the tree a new place for a healthy crown to form. This method of pruning helps to get rid of damaged branches and helps to form a smaller crown without damaging the tree.
Benefits of Crown Reduction
Some benefits of reducing the crown of a tree are:
- Prevent elemental damage
- Encourage tree growth
- Torsional crack prevention
- Reduce chances of failure
Why Perform a Crown Reduction?
The more mature a tree becomes and the larger it grows, the more pruning it will need to stay healthy. As a tree ages, it is possible for the trunk or branches to form cankers or cracks that may transform into decay. When a tree gets a crown reduction, it helps reduce the stress placed on defected areas of the tree.
Crown reduction also reduces the stress of poor attachments points on the tree. This type of point is where the branch and trunk are connected that also contains the bark. Many trees with poor attachment points may fail during harsh weather or storms. Crown reductions can also help reduce the exposure to high winds a tree may experience during a storm or other times.
Tree Topping VS Crown Reduction
There are different types of pruning, and not of them are equal to the other. Hiring an arborist that understands when and how to reduce a tree crown is vital to their long-term health. Some tree care providers may not understand the crucial difference between tree topping and crown reduction. When working with Five Star Tree Services, our Richmond Hill tree pruning service is one of our top specialties and you can rest assured that your tree’s health is always in good hands with us.
Tree Topping
Tree topping is an older form of pruning that simply cuts off branches with no rhyme or reason. Trees that have been topped are more likely to fail as they age or during a storm. Tree topping removes big parts of a living tree crown while leaving lateral branches and stubs behind. Tree topping also creates large wounds in the tree that can encourage decay. The removal of half of the crown or more causes extreme stress on the tree that may result in failure. Leaves are the source of food for a tree; topping removes that source which causes shoots to sprout in abundance. These sprouts are poorly attached and can encourage tree failure.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction is the removal of specific branches that will allow a lateral growing branch to become the new crown. There are smaller cuts made with a crown reduction which reduces the wounds in which decay may enter. A smaller portion of the living crown is removed which places less stress on the tree. After a crown reduction, there are at least two-thirds of the crown remaining, and it is balanced.
Why Mature Trees Are Important
Mature trees play a critical role in our urban environment. Removing a mature tree or pruning it in a way that causes it to fail drastically affects the environment, and not in a good way. Crown reductions are the best way to prolong the life of the tree and ensure it thrives in its location. For more information from our team at Five Star Tree Services regarding tree crown reductions, give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today.