What Are The Most Common Tree Surgery Techniques?

Tree Surgery Techniques and Methods used by Professional Arborists

The type of tree surgery used will depend on many factors including the health, location, age, and what services a customer needs. A professional arborist will survey the situation to better understand the needs of the tree and what forms of care and techniques the tree needs in order to thrive. From selective pruning techniques to completely removing a tree for a variety of reasons a professional arborist will be able to inspect the situation and provide their insight on what the best way to proceed will be. By utilizing some of the most common techniques for tree surgery and using specialized methods Joseph Tree promises to take care of your trees in the best way we can.

Crown Thinning

When thinning the crown of a tree the tree surgeons focus on clearing decaying branches, making way for new growth, and assisting the tree in order to promote healthy growth. When performing surgery on a tree crown the intent is to reduce the density and weight of the crown of the tree. This process is very different from the technique called topping which can be detrimental to the health of the tree and is not a method Joseph Tree utilizes unless absolutely necessary. Crown thinning is a tree pruning method that allows more light and air to pass through the upper branches. Pruning the crown also promotes balanced growth throughout the tree so growth is evenly dispersed across all of the branches. This type of tree surgery helps by trimming some excess weight as well so branches are less likely to break during high winds or storms.

Tree Crown Reduction Surgery

Crown reduction is a similar procedure to crown thinning, but instead of thinning out the crown the reduction process removes somewhat larger branches. This pruning technique is typically used to reduce stress on the branches by reducing weight. A healthy tree can sometimes become stressed and struggle because of long-term stress on branches. This tree maintenance technique has some of the benefits of crown thinning, though thinning out the branches is not the intended goal. This tree pruning technique can also be used when a tree outgrows the area in which it was planted. In the event that a tree has grown too large and removal is not ideal a crown reduction can help shape the tree without causing any serious damage. Crown reduction along with seasonal tree trimming can allow a larger tree to continue living in a space that would otherwise be too small.

Tree Crown Raising

Crown raising is a surgery technique used to reduce the amount of limbs closest to the ground. There are multiple benefits for crown raising including increasing the space between the ground and the base of the crown. This allows for more clearance underneath the crown’s base. Crown raising is helpful when trees are near pathways, buildings, or potentially obstruct space that someone needs. This method of tree surgery allows you to accommodate for the space you need without bringing excess harm to the tree, or turning to tree removal. Crown raising also will help with weight overload, reducing the overall weight of the tree through removing branches. Trees that are overloaded can become hazardous as they are more likely to lose branches during severe weather.

Tree Coppicing Method

Coppicing is a technique that is used in order to promote robust regrowth. Coppicing is a dramatic cutting of the tree down to the stump. This process isn’t always our first choice for tree maintenance, but in the event a client wants to control the growth of their tree more closely, coppicing will provide them with that opportunity as the tree regrows. When one coppices a tree all of the nurture at are flooded into providing new shoots that grow out of the trunk. This method shouldnt be used on all types of tree, but some species are especially proficient at regrowth. Because you’re encouraging new growth when coppicing a tree it is mostly recommended to do this in the early spring, which gives trees a longer season to generate new, healthy growth.

Pollarding Trees

Pollarding is the process of aggressively pruning a tree in order to maintain its size. There are specific techniques utilized when you pollard a tree that are done specifically to now damage the tree. When pollarding a tree an arborist will make cuts in very specific places along the branches to promote new growth in certain areas. All of this is done in order to help maintain the size of the tree and stop it from growing larger. This method is typically used when someone wants to keep the tree from growing any taller. There are some disadvantages to pollarding, specifically when it comes to the health of the tree. Anytime you make a cut on a tree there is potential for the tree to become stressed, and it can be temporarily susceptible to disease. It is important that when considering pollarding your trees you speak with a professional tree surgeon to have a tree trimming expert give their professional opinion.

Formative Tree Pruning Method

Formative pruning is the process of pruning a tree in order to train its shape as it grows until its later stages of life. This method allows an arborist to promote a strong, healthy trunk that is clear of heavy branches, as well as to train the tree’s canopy to be balanced and well spaced. Formative pruning typically takes place after the tree has grown a full year and can be done for up to four, sometimes five years depending on the species of tree and its natural growth rate. The species of the tree will determine what season is best for the young tree to get pruned.

Tree Felling & Rigging

There are multiple techniques for cutting down trees, a process called felling. Felling involves cutting down the tree, as well as completely removing it. There are a variety of reasons one would need a tree felling service including situations like procuring lumber, clearing land, or having a tree removed that is unsafe. There are different techniques used for tree felling. Tree height, health, and location are all factors that are considered when choosing which method to use for felling a tree. Some tree surgery experts will cut the tree in sections if the surrounding area does not have space for a tree to fall down safely. Tree surgeons in rare situations may use a crane in order to safely remove sections of the tree without any danger to nearby structures, powerlines, or anything else of importance. Tree felling sometimes requires rigging, the use of ropes and specialty equipment to control the way a tree falls, and lower limbs safely.

Tree Stump Grinding & Removal

Not only will a tree surgeon be able to completely remove a tree but will commonly offer a tree stump grinding and removal service. This is designed to remove the large trunk of a tree, as well as the roots that connect the trunk to the soil beneath it. Tree stumps can remain for many years without decaying away, so in order to fully remove the trunk you will need to hire a professional. Joseph Tree will completely remove a trunk to guarantee the tree won’t ever try to grow back.

Contact Your Local Tree Surgeons

If you are in need of any tree services and want to speak to a tree surgeon specialist, contact Joseph Tree today. From professional tree pruning, to intricate tree felling our team of trained arborists are ready to provide professional help and care for your tree needs