Dreamscape Tree Surgery

Information / Terminology

Crown

A tree's crown is the whole of the above ground part of the tree with the exception of its main trunk.

Crown Thinning

Primarily for deciduous broadleaf trees, this involves the removal of branches to increase light and air throughout the crown of a tree. This will help to avoid stress from wide spreading heavy branches and maintain the trees natural form and structure. This will often include removal of crossing, weak, dead or damaged branches within the crown. No more than a quarter of living branches should be removed from the tree at once.

Crown Raising / Crown Lifting

Crown raising is the removal or pruning of lower branches or parts of branches from the bottom of the tree to a specific height above existing ground level (e.g. 4 Metres) so as to provide increased head clearance beneath the tree. This will for example provide clearance for vehicles, buildings and pedestrians.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction is the pruning method used when the tree has outgrown its surroundings - a reduction of the overall size or circumference of a tree's crown by generally reducing overall length of its branches but without destroying the basic shape of the crown. This will help to minimize stress and maintain the trees natural form.

Topping

the cutting out of the top of the tree's crown. Topping is nowadays considered poor practice because it increase vulnerability to disease entry and stimulates abnormal regrowth.

Pollarding

The cutting back of all branches of a tree leaving only its trunk or cutting back branches to a lower point for the formation of a new head. Pollarding is also considered poor practice because it increases vulnerability to disease and deformity of a tree's basic shape.

Cleaning Out / Deadwooding

This is the removal of dead, diseased, damaged, dangerous and crossing branches, water shoots, epicormic growth and ivy from the tree back to sound wood.

Natural Target Pruning

Natural Target Pruning
  1. Locate the branch bark ridge.
  2. Find target A outside of branch bark ridge.
  3. Find target B swelling where branch meets branch collar.
  4. Stub branch tobe pruned.
  5. Make cut along line A B.

Do not Cut behind branch bark ridge. Leave stubs. Cut branch collar. Paint cuts. Leave flat top when topping.