Video | How to Structurally Prune a Tree For Health, Strength, and Longevity

One of the most effective ways to maintain the long term health of your trees is structural pruning. Today we will not only answer the question what is structural pruning? But we will climb a tree and prune it together.

So today we will be working with this beautiful young red oak. Let’s talk about our goals. First we would to establish a strong singular trunk. Right now there are at least two. We will reduce some of these overextended or competing limbs on the or competing limbs on the sides of the canopy. That will later grow into over extended and weighty branches. And then lastly we will work to establish proper branch spacing. Keeping in mind that we are working toward the long term structure of this tree with the removal of these branches. So let’s get started.

It’s also really important to remember not remove too much live growth at one time. The more leaves we remove from the tree the more we inhibit the trees ability to make food. If we remove too much we cause the tree stress.

Ok so now that we have finished our structural prune here you can see a before and after. You may notice we have established a strong central trunk, we have reduced some of the over extended and competing limbs, and we have worked to establish proper branch spacing. Essentially we have set this tree up for a long healthy life.

I hope you have enjoyed a little taste of what we do here everyday, and the type of care it takes to keep trees healthy and strong. Each tree is precious and so we work hard to give each tree a long and healthy life.