Crown thinning

[Chris Wood]

Hi Guys,

I got out of Arboriculture school 12 years back. At that time, everyone seemed pretty hep on crown thinning. What are your guys' thoughts on them? I have a number of clients with large landscape trees with long overreaching limbs. I often suggest that they tip back the long limbs to make for a stouter tree. I want to reduce the chance of catastrophic wind failure of the large limbs. In the Northeast it seems our storm systems are a bit more unpredictable. Of course, good taste and judgement is critical in what is a good crown thinning and what was excessive. When tipping back I only make small diameter cuts, less than 6 inches.

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Bermie]

Crown thinning is still an acceptable method of reducing wind load.
How much and how big depends on the tree species, how it responds to pruning and its condition.
As long as you still target prune, to acceptable sized laterals and branch collars, you should be ok IMO.