Restoration Pruning Vista Pruning Crown Reduction Crown Shaping Crown Cleaning
What are they? How and why are they needed? What is the benefit to me taking the time, and spending the money?
RESTORATION PRUNING is language I have developed over the past 7 years. Restoration pruning refers to a combination of terms. The terms used in the standard ANSI 300a definitions for the tree industry are valuable but lacking in their focus. The term restoration means exactly what it is defined as by most dictionaries.Restoration is defined as: melioration, improvement – a condition superior to an earlier condition. The idea that you can take a piece of plant material and improve it so it represents something superior compared to it’s previous condition is close to perfect. The pruning technique used to perform this act of Restoration pruning can take place over one year for a younger specimen or over a few years for a more mature specimen. Restoration Pruning is an art form similar to sculpting. The difference between most sculptures and Tree Sculpting is that when dealing with living elements the surprise and wonder is limitless (the results never stop rewarding the artist and the owner of the plant).
Vista Pruning is defined as the cutting back or removing of branches that are getting in the way of a view. For those who are by the water (lake, ocean, river, waterfall), this type of pruning is designed to maintain the value of the house. Many times when purchasing a house on or near a water feature, the view is a very strong selling point. The trees are either reduced to see over their canopies or windows are created through the trees by selectively removing branches that block the desired view. Vista Pruning creates windows in our trees that create depth and perspective. Just a note, the windows can be for anything, not just water. Mountain views, valley views… you get my point.
Crown Reduction Pruning is a method of pruning used to reduce the height of a tree. Branches are cut back to laterals that are at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed. The key to Crown Reduction Pruning is to be cautious about how much of a tree is removed. The rule is not to remove more than 25% of a tree any one year. A tree has a balance between wood-mass, leaf surface and feeder root system. After a tree has a reduction performed on it, that tree needs to acclimate to it’s new condition. Another very important effect that needs to be considered and maintained after this type of pruning is the new growth that will result. The resulting growth may need pruning to help the tree develop a strong top canopy. Some trees will develop new limbs that become dangerous hazards to the surrounding area because of the week unions that are formed so high above the ground. It is critical before pruning with this method that you understand the longterm effects on a trees growth.
Crown Shaping is the specific pruning of the outside portion of a specimen tree to create a desired shape. Crown Shaping is a type of pruning that once it is done, it needs to be managed and maintained every year to hold on to the value of that plant.
Crown Cleaning is the pruning of all dead wood in a tree. Many professionals will define the specific sizes of deadwood they will remove from a tree. It could be one inch, two inches, three inches. This definition safeguards the tree pruner and puts the owner of the tree in a position of knowledge. The smaller the branches are being removed the greater the cost (based on the time involved). The goal in Crown Cleaning is all about hazard reduction. Large dead branches in a tree can pose a great danger to those living and playing around that tree.
LANGUAGE AND DEFINITIONS HELPS US UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER (PROFESSIONAL TO CONSUMER). LET THE GAMES BEGIN.