Tree Pruning and Trimming

Tree pruning is essential for long-term maintenance. Pruning when done correctly can greatly enhance the health, beauty and safety of your trees, however when done improperly the long-term health, beauty and safety of your tree may be jeopardized.

Tree pruning is the art and science limb removal. Each cut the arborist makes should serve a specific purpose. Otherwise limbs should be left alone. Pruning is used to mitigate risks, encourage strong form, clear structures and right-of-ways, and to remove the 4 D’s; dead, dying, damaged and diseased limbs.

Only Certified Arborists following proper pruning practices should prune your trees. Certified Arborists are familiar with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) tree care and safety standards (A300 and Z133.1). The most common pruning that we practice on trees is:

• Cleaning - Selective pruning to remove one or more of the following parts: dead, diseased, and/or broken branches.


• Raising - Selective pruning to provide vertical clearance.


• Reducing - Selective pruning to decrease height and/or spread (consideration must be given to the ability of a species to tolerate this type of pruning).


• Structural Pruning - Selective pruning to improve tree and branch structure primarily on young and medium-aged trees.

For more information call our office at 507-286-TREE to talk to one of our Certified Arborists.