Jones Bros. Tree & Landscape

To contact us:

7892 Summer Ave
Bartlett, TN 38133

Phone: 901-377-8733
Fax: 901-377-8983
Email:
 jbtree@bellsouth.net
Jones Bros. Tree & Landscape

Pruning Standards & Specifications
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Pruning

By Robert Jurgens
Forester and ISA Certified Arborist
SO-1708A

 

Improper pruning can and will do more damage to your trees than not pruning at all. For this reason it is very important that your tree service professionals follow certain standards and specifications to maintain the health and beauty of your trees. Correct pruning can extend the life of your trees while incorrect pruning could lead to an untimely and perhaps costly death of your tree.

Reasons for pruning may include, but are not limited to, improving tree health, structure and form, improving aesthetics, reducing risks or satisfying a specific need. Structural pruning to properly train young trees less than twenty-five (25) years will help them develop into structurally strong trees well suited to the site and their intended functions. These trees should require little corrective pruning as they mature and should pose minimal risk to their environment. Pruning mature trees should focus on maintaining health, appearance, structure, and form. For those not pruned and properly trained as young trees, it should also address Hazard Pruning and possible Crown Reduction or Crown Restoration to repair storm damage or correct Crown Dieback.

Class I Pruning: Fine Pruning

Fine Pruning is recommended for premium quality work with an emphasis on aesthetic considerations, in addition to, structural integrity.

Class I Pruning consists of:

  1. Crown Cleaning– remove dead, dying, diseased and broken branches 1/2” in diameter or larger within the crown.
  2. Crown Thinning– reduce density by selectively removing interfering, crossing or running branches, objectionable obstructing or weak branches, and water sprouts. The purpose of crown thinning is to reduce weight, improve structural integrity and to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown.
  3. May include Crown Raising and/or Crown Restoration

Class III Pruning: Hazard Pruning

Hazard Pruning is recommended where safety considerations are paramount.

Class III Pruning consists of:

  1. Crown Cleaning to remove dead, dying, diseased, and broken branches 2” in diameter or larger within the crown.
  2. May include Crown Raising and/or Crown Restoration

 

Crown Restoration

Crown restoration consists of selective pruning to improve the structure, form and appearance of trees that have sprouted vigorously after storm damage, topping or severely pruning using heading cuts. Crown restoration may require several pruning applications over a number of years to achieve the desired results.
 

Class II Pruning: Standard Pruning

Standard Pruning is recommended for general tree maintenance where tree health and structural integrity are the primary concern.

Class II Pruning consists of:

  1. Crown Cleaning—remove dead, dying, diseased, decayed and broken branches 1” in diameter or larger within the crown.
  2. May include Crown Raising and/or Crown Restoration

Class IV Pruning: Crown Reduction

Crown reduction reduces the height and/or spread of a tree. This practice is undertaken where there has been significant crown dieback or in cases where, due to storm damage or prior incorrect pruning it is appropriate for safety or aesthetic reasons.

This technique is not the same as the unacceptable practice of “topping” which endangers the health and structural integrity of the tree.

Crown reduction can apply to the whole canopy or to individual limbs as needed. It is recommended where the top or sides of individual limbs are reduced in size and spread or the parent limb or dominant leader is removed at the point of attachment of a lateral branch. This practice is sometimes referred to as “Cutting Back” or “Drop Crotch Pruning”

Crown Raising

Crown raising consists of the removal of lower branches to provide crown elevation clearance for traffic, open vistas, and improve sunlight penetration. It is also used to clear for building and other structures by targeting specific primary and/or secondary branches.
 

Eco-Fact

5 Ways Trees Help Us Everyday:

  1. Trees located along streets act as glare and reflection control
  2. Trees cut down on noise pollution by acting as sound barriers
  3. Trees provide shade, reducing yearly heating & cooling costs by nearly $2.1 Billion
  4. In 1 year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon dioxide as produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles...that is more miles than it would take to drive around the world.
  5. Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rainwater.

 
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