Pruning Services
Expert Pruning Services to Keep Your Property Looking Great
Did You Know Improper Pruning Can Damage a Tree?
Improper pruning techniques can result in the cut areas not healing correctly, which invites pests and disease. Our pruning crews always follow industry guidelines set by the TCIA, ISA and ANSI Z1.33 standard.
Why is Pruning Important?
Pruning may not seem essential for your trees. After all, trees grow just fine in the forest without ever being pruned. But that’s just the point: the trees in your backyard aren’t growing in a forest. There is fierce competition for sunlight in a forest, causing trees to grow straight up toward the sunlight.
In most yards, trees don’t have as much competition. They can grow outwards as well as upwards. This may seem like a good thing, but it can cause problems if the tree isn’t properly pruned.
When a tree is allowed to grow outwards without pruning, it increases the chances of a weight imbalance, making the tree more susceptible to toppling during strong winds.
Pruning also ensures that your trees look the way you want them to while allowing them to grow strong, sturdy, and safe. Sometimes, when a tree becomes too “crowded” near the crown or in the branches, it can be to the detriment of the rest of the tree. In some cases, this can make trees more susceptible to disease and infestation.
Do All Trees Need Pruning?
Different trees need different kinds of pruning done at different times of the year. Generally, trees should be pruned when dormant, before spring. Trees that are prone to certain diseases should be pruned only during periods when spreading is least likely.
Nearly every type of tree benefits from some form of pruning.
PRUNING 101: TYPES OF PRUNING
Pruning is mainly done for either hazard reduction (eliminating a possible hazard or danger) or maintenance (improving health and structure). The following types falling into one or both of these categories.
- Crown cleaning-remove dead, dying, diseased or weak branches
- Crown thinning-increases light penetration, air movement and reduce weight
- Crown raising (lift pruning)-remove lower branches to provide clearance
- Crown reduction-decrease height or spread to reduce encroachment to a structure, other trees, etc.
- Crown restoration-restores canopy structure to a tree that had been poorly pruned or a diseased tree
PRUNING TREES KEEPS THEM HEALTHY
Most people have a variety of trees on their property, which may all require different types of pruning to keep them healthy and strong. Often times, more than 1 type of pruning is necessary.
When our sales team gives an estimate, they’ll listen to your concerns first. Then, they’ll give an expert assessment and discuss the type of pruning needed for your trees and shrubs to remain healthy while promoting growth.
PRUNING TREES KEEPS THEM HEALTHY
Most people have a variety of trees on their property, which may all require different types of pruning to keep them healthy and strong. Often times, more than 1 type of pruning is necessary.
When our sales team gives an estimate, they’ll listen to your concerns first. Then, they’ll give an expert assessment and discuss the type of pruning needed for your trees and shrubs to remain healthy while promoting growth.
Different Stages and Types of Pruning and Trimming
When trees are mature, they require a different type of trimming that typically involves removing dying or dead branches for the overall health of the tree.
When trees are young, they should undergo structural pruning to prevent imbalances that can harm them later in life.
Specialty pruning is often done for food-bearing trees to ensure proper growth of the tree and to maximize fruit production.
How Is Tree Trimming and Pruning Different?
- Improves Tree Health: All homeowners want lush trees, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your trees are healthy. With larger branches getting a disproportionate amount of nutrients, it can prevent new growth. Tree trimming can help remove those older branches and make way for new ones – increase the lifespan of your trees in the process.
- Increase Sun Exposure: Trees require sunlight for proper nutrient absorption and growth. While a full and lush crown may look nice, it can actually prevent this essential sunlight from reaching all the branches.
- Prevents Emergencies: A fallen branch can pose a ton of risk to your home and safety. Whether it falls on a person, a car, or breaks through a window, these emergencies can easily be prevented with annual tree trimming.
- Helps Protect Tree Roots: Excess weight at the top of your trees can strain the existing root system – especially if they’re already sick or damaged. Our tree trimming experts can help reduce that excess strain and help your trees recover.
At General Tree Service, you can count on our Portland tree trimming service experts to help make the most of your trees. Whether it’s a beautiful oak or some fruit-bearing options, we ensure healthy growth and that boost in curb appeal you’ve always wanted.
Professional Pruning Services in the Portland-Vancouver Metro Area
When you hire a professional arborist to inspect and prune your trees, you can rest easy knowing that you aren’t putting yourself in danger to keep your trees healthy.
The professionals at General Tree know how to utilize state of the art equipment and proper safety protocols to prune trees without damaging property or threatening anyone’s health.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
General Tree Service has been caring for the trees and shrubs around our facility for over 25 years. Their expertise and concern for our landscape is why we continue to partner with them.
– Ed N.
Portland Oregon
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Pruning Services

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