Tree Trimming Terms – A Short Guide

Good evening! As promised, we are going to look at some of the terminologies that are used when it comes to tree trimming. Below is some of the common tree trimming terminology that many people who prune your trees might use.

tree trimming terms

The first thing we are going to do is to look at some of the main tree trimming terms that are often used by landscapers.

Tree Trimming Terms 1 – Crown Thin

When you thin the crown of a tree, this means that you are removing some of the tertiary/smaller branches. These are usually found at the tree’s outer crown. This helps with producing a foliage density that is more uniform around branches that are more evenly spaced.

This is usually done on species that are broad-leafed. It doesn’t alter the tree’s overall size or shape. Common reasons to thin the crown o fa tree are reducing wind resistance, reducing weight, and allowing additional light to go through a tree.

Tree Trimming Terms  2 — Crown Lifting/Crown Raising

This is when a tree’s lowest branches are removed or prepared to be removed. It’s best that it shouldn’t include removing the large branches that grow directly from the tree’s trunk, since this can often cause some large wounds. This, in time, can become very decayed and cause long-term problems or biochemical instability in the short term.

It’s not a good idea to do this on mature, older trees unless you are only shortening the primary branches. This is a very effective way to increase light transmission in those areas near the tree. It also can give you access beneath the crown. However, you shouldn’t remove 15% or more of the crown height. you also should leave the tree’s crown a minimum of 2/3 of your tree’s total height.

Tree Trimming Terms 3 – Crown Reduction

This is when the spread and/or spread of the tree’s crown is reduced. This might be used for reducing mechanical stress upon the entire tree or individual branches. It also might make the tree more suited for the immediate environment or reduce any effects of light loss and shading. The end result of crown reduction should retain the crown’s main framework, leaving a similar yet smaller outline.  The cuts for crown reduction should be small, and they shouldn’t exceed 100mm in diameter without a good reason.

Not all types of trees can be treated this way, and this isn’t anything like topping, which is a very harmful and indiscriminate treatment.

Other Tree Trimming Terms You Might Read on Here

  • Adaptive growth – This is an increased wood production in a local area that’s responding to decreasing wood strength. It can also be an external loading which can help with maintaining even force distribution over the structure.
  • Adventitious/epicormic growth – A new growth the arises from new or dormant buds directly from a trunk or main branches/stems
  • Bracing – This is when belts, ropes, and/or cables for reducing the chances of the tree’s structure failing.
  • Cavity – A void in the tree’s solid structure, normally due to woody tissue deterioration or decay. It might hold water or be dry. If it contains water, the water shouldn’t be drained.
  • Crown – The tree’s area that bears foliage that’s formed by the branches. It doesn’t include any clear trunk/stem
  • Deadwood – This is the non-living stems or branches because of external influences or aging. This provides important habitats, and it should be left if at all possible. The only deadwood that should be shortened or removed is that which poses a risk. The retention and durability of the deadwood are going to vary based on the species.
  • Dormant – This is when a tree is inactive, and it usually happens during the year’s coldest months when there’s little to no growth, and deciduous trees’ leaves were shed.
  • Formative pruning – This is minor pruning that’s done during a tree’s early growth years to help with establishing the tree’s desired form. It also can be done for correcting weaknesses or defects that could affect its structure in the future.

We hope that you found this to be useful and that you’ll bookmark this page so that you have it at the ready when you need it. There are many other tree trimming terms that you may come across, but these are some of the more common ones.

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