How Much Of A Tree Can You Cut Without Killing It?

The Role of Our Tree Surgeons

Nothing elevates an outdoor space like a beautifully well-maintained tree – but how much can you cut without causing serious harm? It’s so easy to worry that you’ll kill a tree with some overzealous pruning, and it really can have an adverse effect if you don’t know what you are doing. That’s where we come in! Here’s everything you need to know about cutting your trees but maintaining their health, and how crown reduction could be a great option for you.

The 25% Rule

As a general rule of thumb, it is not recommended that you remove more than 25% of a tree’s canopy within the space of a year. Why? Well, leaves are what a tree uses to capture sunlight and go through the process of photosynthesis. You can think of them as vital organs! Excessive pruning disrupts this process and will deprive the tree of vital nutrients and stop it from flourishing as it should. So how do you find a happy medium? Give us a call, of course!

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction is a pruning technique that is aimed at reducing the overall size of a tree’s canopy and ensuring that it remains structurally intact. This method involves selectively removing branches to decrease the tree’s height and spread. Crown reduction is beneficial for managing trees in confined spaces or reducing any risks posed by overgrown branches. It’s one of the most popular services that we offer here at Essex Tree Brothers.
However, crown reduction is one of the most complicated and delicate forms of tree surgery and should only ever be carried out by a skilled professional. Our experienced tree surgeons have the expertise to assess your tree’s condition accurately and will consider factors such as its species, age, structural integrity, and overall health to come up with a tailored pruning plan.

Using Professional Techniques

Our tree surgeons employ tried and trusted crown reduction methods to reduce the size of a tree’s canopy, all while promoting healthy regrowth and maintaining structural stability. Maintaining the structural integrity of a tree is vital for the health and safety of everyone on the site. Improper pruning can result in weak branch attachments, increasing the risk of limb failure and even tree collapse. That’s why it’s essential to call in our team rather than attempt the job yourself.

Staying Safe

Working in line with all health and safety regulations is essential when pruning trees – and this is something that we do at every stage. Whether it’s undergoing training to continue to expand our safety awareness or wearing the right protective equipment, you can count on us to work safely and efficiently. We’re fully insured and accredited too, giving you further peace of mind.

We’re Here to Help

It can be hard to see if you have removed too little or too much of a tree when you are trying to reduce the size of its crown – so why not let us do the hard work for you? Get in touch today, and we will arrange a visit to your property as soon as possible.