Tree Pruning Definitions

First 5 Years

• Shorten all aggressive branches to keep them less than half trunk diameter

5 - 20 years

• Shorten all aggressive branches originating from the lower 10 - 20 feet of the tree

• Keep all branches less than half trunk diameter

• Identify lowest couple of scaffold limbs

• Prevent lower branches from growing up into the permanent canopy

• Shorten branches with included bark

20 - 40 Years

• Identify and develop most of the scaffold branches

• Space scaffold branches appropriately

• Remove many of the branches below the lowest scaffold

• Shorten branches with included bark

50 + Years

• All low temporary branches removed

• All scaffold branches are developing and are spaced apart

• Shorten branches with included bark

Pruning Type for Established Trees (20 + Years)

Crown Cleaning: Cleaning shall consist of selective pruning to remove one or more of the following parts: dead, diseased, and/or broken branches to reduce risk.

Crown Thinning: Thinning shall consist of selective pruning to reduce density of live branches or to increase light penetration.

Crown Raising: Raising shall consist of selective pruning to provide vertical clearance.

Crown Reduction: Reduction shall consist of selective pruning to decrease height and/or spread.