Crown Thinning is a pruning technique that involves removing a number of secondary branches in such a way that it produces a balanced crown structure, without altering the overall size or shape of the tree.

Why your tree might need Crown Thinning?

Crown Thinning will prevent canopies getting too thick and causing rot or decay. Crown thinning also rectifies problems with light and air circulating the trees canopy;

• If the crown is very crowded, crown thinning will be beneficial to prevent disease
• Allows light and air into the crown. Thinning the canopy will prevent rot and decay.
• Allows wind to pass through canopy, preventing serious damage to the crown in storms or strong wind.

Trees in woods provide protection for each other from the damaging effects of wind. Trees in open settings, such as along a street, in a park or in gardens are open to the effects of wind, (especially when they are planted far apart from each other). Crowns get thicker, because light reaches all parts of the tree. A thick canopy catches wind, which under certain circumstances can damage the tree by breaking branches or blow it over.

Crown thinning is usually carried out on deciduous trees, not on evergreens, so it is generally confined to hardwood trees. Crown thinning is designed to reduce damage that could result from crown resistance to strong winds. It is a common method to prevent branches that rub together or cross over from rot, decay and disease.

Thinning the canopy opens the foliage of a tree, reducing weight on heavy limbs, and helps retain the tree’s natural shape. The volume of the branches to be removed will normally be expressed as a percentage of the whole crown. When crown thinning it is important not just to remove interior branches. Removing foliage at the edge of the canopy allows light to penetrate inside; which encouraging the growth of existing small twigs within the trees interior.

Correct crown thinning will not change the overall size of the tree, it will remain the same height and width as it was before thinning. Correct crown thinning is done on relatively small branches in the leafy area of the canopy towards the ends of the main branches (unlike structural pruning which tends to be towards the trunk on lower limbs of the tree.)

For a free quote please feel free to contact Douglas Fir Tree Care who have over eight years experience of pruning, planting and looking after trees.

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