Maintaining the crown of a tree is crucial to ensure sufficient light in your garden, plus prevent branches from reaching a hazardous state in the surrounding area.
Crown maintenance also assists issues regarding overgrown branches that may negatively affect a tree’s structure and integrity.
Crown Lifting:
This method involves selectively pruning or removing lower branches to elevate the crown’s height. By increasing the distance between ground level and the tree’s lower canopy, a uniform height is achieved.
Crown lifting enhances light penetration, creates space for gardens and lawns, facilitates access to the tree’s base, and promotes a balanced lower crown.
Crown Reduction:
Crown reduction entails cutting branches back to an appropriate growth point, reducing the overall size of the tree while maintaining its shape. This process opens up space and enhances light in your garden while controlling the tree’s size. It is particularly considered when a tree’s root system has significantly decayed, posing potential hazards. However, it is not recommended as a preventive measure for storms or high winds; crown thinning is preferred for such scenarios (see below).
Crown Thinning:
Crown thinning involves selectively pruning a tree’s canopy without altering its overall height. This method removes several secondary branches, creating a balanced structure without changing the tree’s size and shape. Crown thinning is often employed to address structural defects, increase light penetration plus promote better air circulation through the canopy. The resulting drier environment makes it more challenging for pests to colonize and enhances plant growth beneath the canopy.
