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Crown Reduction and Shaping

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction/pruning is most often used when a tree has grown too large for its permitted space.

In the illustration the blue area of branches would be removed. This method results in a more natural appearance and increases the time before pruning is needed again and minimizes stress caused to the tree.

Crown Reductions include the reduction of height and spread of the crown (the leafy parts of the tree). Crown reductions may be used to assist in reducing weight stress on individual branches or the tree or as a whole; it can also help to make the Tree more acceptable within its Environment. I.e A large Tree in a small garden can be very suppressive and cut out all light.

Crown Reductions help the effects of shading and light loss, etc.

The final result of a Crown Reduction should retain the main framework of the crown, and also a significant proportion of the leaf bearing structure, (Furnishing Growth) A crown Reduction should leave a similar, although smaller outline of the Tree, and not necessarily achieve symmetry for its own sake.
Crown reduction cuts should be as small as possible and in general not exceed 10cm in diameter whenever possible.

Reductions should be specified by actual measurements/percentages where possible, and reflect the finished result of the reduced Tree. It may also refer to lengths of specific branches/limbs to be reduced or removed to aid clarity with Customers, e.g. Crown reduce in height by 30% or 2m and lateral spread by 1.0m, all round the Crown (all measurements approximate.)

Not all Tree species are suitable for this type of works and crown reducing should not be confused with ‘topping’, a very poor practice.

Crown reductions can be used to reduce the tree’s wind resistance and its uptake of water from the ground.

We need to live along side Trees as we depend on them. Wherever possible a Crown Reduction is usually far better than Tree Removal.