PRUNING TREES

Pruning Types :

Hazard reduction pruning and maintenance pruning consist of the selective removal of tree branches, using one or more of the pruning types noted below:

• Crown cleaning... Crown cleaning shall consist of the selective removal of one or more of the following items: dead, dying or diseased branches, weak branches and watersprouts.

• Crown thinning... Crown thinning shall consist of the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement and reduce weight.

• Crown raising... Crown raising shall consist of the removal of the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance.

• Crown reduction, or Crown shaping... Crown reduction decreases the height and/or spread of a tree. Consideration should be given to the ability of a species to sustain this type of pruning.

• Vista pruning... Vista pruning is selective thinning of framework limbs or specific areas of the crown to allow a view of an object from a predetermined point. It opens "windows" through trees for a view.

• Crown restoration... Crown restoration pruning should improve the structure, form and appearance of trees which have been severely topped, vandalized or storm-damaged.

Pruning Standards :

With the American National Standard for pruning, ANSI A300, specifications can be written in a virtually infinite number of combinations. The following information is furnished to help you understand more clearly what will be accomplished in a pruning operation.

Branch Size:

A minimum or maximum diameter size of branches to be removed should be specified in all pruning operations. This establishes how much pruning is to be done.

Pruning Objectives :

Pruning objectives should be established prior to beginning any pruning operation. ANSI A300 provides two basic objectives:

1. Hazard Reduction Pruning
   Hazard reduction pruning (HRP) is recommended when the primary objective is to reduce the danger to a specific target caused by visibly defined hazards in a tree. For example, HRP may be the primary objective if a tree has many dead limbs hanging over a park bench.

2. Maintenance Pruning
   Maintenance pruning (MP) is recommended when the primary objective is to maintain or improve tree health and structure, and includes hazard reduction pruning. An example here might be to perform an MP operation on a front-yard tree.

Pruning and Thinning :

The primary reasons for pruning include removing dead branches, removing crowded or rubbing limbs, and eliminating hazards, and improving sunlight and air movement through the tree. Done properly, with an understanding of tree biology, pruning can maintain good tree health and structure. It can also enhance the beauty and economic value of our landscapes.

Pruning vs Topping :

Topping is a common practice, but is commonly very injurious to trees. It is the clumsy cutting off of the top of a tree to stubs or smaller limbs. Usually, the objective is to reduce the size of the tree. People may feel that their trees have become too large for their location, or possibly that tall trees may be more likely to fail. Topping, however is not the answer. In fact, this harmful practice will make a healthy tree more hazardous over time.

Crown Cleaning and Raising :

Crown cleaning is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached and low-vigor branches from the crown of a tree. Removal of water sprouts is often included in crown cleaning.

Crown raising removes lower branches to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, view enhancement, etc.

Furnish and Plant New Trees:

Ideally, you should plant every tree according to an overall landscape plan for your property. The plan should consider what effect you want the tree to have in the landscape, the plants’ size, and what their maintenance requirements might be. Generally, shrubs and trees should be placed so they can develop freely, without crowding each other, the primary structures, utility lines or outbuildings. Before selecting a spot for a tree, you need to find out its size when fully grown. Let us help you get the correct information for the specific variety of your tree.

Open Windows Through Trees for a View :

Trees that have grown to a height and breadth that obscure a desirable view can be saved. If your view obstruction involves installing a satellite dish, or just a wonderful view of Mt. Rainier, give us a chance to ‘window’ the tree. Call us for a professional evaluation of your situation. We guarantee you will be better informed on the options for tree conservation, and still have the view results you want.

Tree Removal :

This can be difficult and dangerous work. Our technicians have the training and experience to remove trees safely in close quarters. We use the proper technical rigging and safety practices to ensure a successful job, and are fully bonded to protect you. We can also assist in marketing saleable logs.

Chip and Recycle Limbs :

With the most modern and powerful tree recycling equipment available, we convert your tree trimmings to chips suitable for mulch or disposal. Our chippers can recycle anything up to a medium tree trunk, if the wood is not needed for other uses, such as firewood.

Stump Removal (grinding) :

Once the tree is cut down, the stump remains. If it is not a problem, we will cut the stump even with the ground, and leave it to deteriorate naturally. However, if the stump needs to be removed, we have the proper equipment to grind it into compost. We will protect your adjacent buildings or landscaping from damage as we grind the tree stump to chips, and, if you like, remove them from your property.

Storm Damage Repairs :

Storms are part of our lives in the Pacific Northwest, and inevitably damage our trees. In the aftermath of a major storm, tree services are inundated with pleas for help in cleaning up the damage. The Thundering Oak pledge is that we will respond to your problems as soon as humanly possible, in the order that the call for help is received. If you have unusual circumstances, we have real people in charge of allocating resources, so let us know your circumstances. While others may march through neighborhoods grinding up brush and removing other ‘dangerous’ trees, we pride ourselves on our ability to upright, repair and salvage numerous trees that otherwise might be lost.