Tree Pruning

Tree Pollarding

Pollarding is a pruning technique where the upper branches of a tree are cut back to a set height. This encourages a dense head of new growth while keeping the tree compact and manageable. It’s ideal for species like willow, lime, and poplar, and is often used to control height, shape, and safety in urban areas.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction reduces the overall height and spread of a tree by carefully cutting back branches to suitable growth points. This helps maintain a safe size for the tree while preserving its natural shape. It’s commonly used to prevent trees from interfering with buildings, roads, or power lines.

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning involves selectively removing branches throughout the crown to reduce density without changing the tree’s size or shape. This allows more light and air to pass through, reduces wind resistance, and helps improve the health, safety, and appearance of the tree.

Deadwooding

Deadwooding is the removal of dead, dying, or decaying branches from a tree. This process improves safety by preventing branches from falling unexpectedly, reduces the risk of disease, and keeps the tree looking tidy and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I choose pollarding instead of a crown reduction?

Pollarding is used when you want to control a tree’s height and size over the long term, typically done on species that respond well to repeated pruning (like willows or limes). Crown reduction is better when you want to reduce size while maintaining a more natural shape.

How often should pollarding be carried out?

Most pollarded trees benefit from being cut back every 1–3 years, depending on the species and growth rate. Regular maintenance keeps the tree healthy, safe, and manageable.

What is the difference between crown reduction and crown thinning?

Crown reduction reduces the overall size and height of the tree. Crown thinning removes selected branches to reduce weight and improve light to an area - without changing the tree’s height or spread.

What is deadwooding and why is it important?

Deadwooding is the removal of dead or dying branches. It improves safety by preventing falling limbs, reduces the risk of disease, and keeps the tree looking healthy and tidy.

Will crown thinning or reduction harm my tree?

When carried out by qualified tree surgeons, both crown thinning and reduction are safe and beneficial. We work to British Standard BS3998, ensuring pruning is done correctly to keep the tree healthy and balanced.