Professional Tree Pruning Services
Protecting your trees through proper pruning is essential for their long-term health and vitality. At Total Tree Solutions, our certified arborists understand the science behind tree care and apply industry-best practices to enhance your landscape's beauty and value.
Pruning is both an art and a science that requires knowledge of tree biology, species characteristics, and proper cutting techniques. When done correctly, pruning encourages healthy growth and enhances the overall appearance of your landscape.
Pruning for Specific Goals
Health Improvement
Removing dead or diseased branches prevents the spread of decay and creates a stronger tree structure.
Aesthetic Enhancement
Proper pruning enhances the natural form and beauty of trees and shrubs in your landscape.
Size Management
Regular pruning helps control the size of trees, ensuring they don't outgrow their designated space.
Safety Considerations
Eliminating hazardous branches reduces the risk of property damage or injury during storms.
Improved Fruit Production
For fruit trees, strategic pruning increases sunlight exposure and air circulation, leading to better harvests.
Disease Prevention
Proper pruning techniques help prevent pest infestations and disease spread throughout the tree.
Pruning vs. Hedge Trimming / Shaping
Pruning
Pruning is keeping the natural form of the tree but accentuating it. It involves selective removal of specific branches to improve structure, health, and appearance while maintaining the tree's natural growth pattern.
Hedge Trimming / Shaping
Hedge trimming/shaping is more 'aggressively' trying to determine the final form of the tree based on your preference and needs - which may be in opposition to the tree's natural form. This is typically used for formal gardens and decorative purposes.
Types of Pruning: Choosing the Right Approach
Crown Thinning
Selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. This technique helps reduce wind resistance and weight, while maintaining the tree's natural shape.
Crown Raising
Removing lower branches to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and views. This technique is commonly used in urban settings to improve visibility and access.
Crown Reduction
Reducing the height or spread of a tree by pruning back to lateral branches. This technique is used when a tree has grown too large for its space or to reduce potential hazards.
Crown Cleaning
Removal of dead, dying, diseased, and broken branches from the tree's crown. This improves the tree's health, appearance, and safety by eliminating potential hazards.
Heading Cuts vs. Thinning Cuts
Heading Cuts
Removes a branch to a stub, bud, or lateral branch not large enough to assume the terminal role. This stimulates growth of buds nearest to the cut, often resulting in dense, bushy growth.
Thinning Cuts
Removes a branch at its point of origin or back to a lateral large enough to assume the terminal role. This helps maintain the tree's natural form and opens the canopy without stimulating excessive new growth.
When to Prune
Spring and Fall Pruning
Managing new growth. Ideal for most tree species except Maple, Birch, and Spruce.
Summer Pruning
Controlling shape and vigor. Recommended for Maple, Birch, and Spruce trees.
Dormant Season Pruning
Preparing trees for resilience. Suitable for most tree species except those specified for summer pruning.
Our Pruning Process
Assessment
Our certified arborists thoroughly evaluate your tree's health, structure, and specific needs before any pruning begins.
Planning
We develop a customized pruning strategy based on the tree species, condition, location, and your specific goals.
Execution
Using proper techniques and professional equipment, we carefully implement the pruning plan with precision and care.
Follow-up
We provide recommendations for ongoing care and maintenance to ensure your trees continue to thrive after pruning.
Expert Techniques for Long-Term Tree Health
Proper Cut Placement
Avoiding damage and ensuring faster healing by making cuts at the branch collar, not flush with the trunk or leaving stubs that can lead to decay.
Selective Thinning
Preventing over-pruning and stress by carefully selecting which branches to remove based on their position, health, and the overall structure of the tree.
Disease Prevention
Through strategic cuts that improve air circulation and remove infected tissue, we help prevent the spread of diseases and reduce the likelihood of future infections.
Maintaining Structural Integrity
Preventing weak branch attachments by identifying and addressing potential structural issues early, ensuring your trees remain strong and resilient for years to come.
Precision Tools for the Job
We're not a 'pick-up truck and chainsaw' company. We have over half a million dollars in professional equipment to select the right tools for the job, coupled with generational knowledge of the Calgary landscape and tree species to get the job done correctly.
Our specialized equipment includes:
- Professional-grade pruning shears and loppers
- Telescoping pole pruners for high branches
- Specialized pruning saws for clean cuts
- Bucket trucks for safe access to tall trees
- Climbing gear for precise canopy work
Safety & Best Practices
Pruning Near Power Lines
Professional protocols within the Limits of Allowable Encroachment. We follow strict safety guidelines when working near power lines to protect both our workers and your property.
Structural Considerations
Preventing damage to homes and infrastructure by carefully planning each cut and using proper rigging techniques when necessary to safely lower branches in confined spaces.
Rigging & Climbing Techniques
We use Rigging & Climbing Techniques that meet all CSA and ANSI standards, ensuring the highest level of safety and professionalism in every job we undertake.
Insurance & Compliance
We over and above - meet all CSA, ISA and ANSI safety standards and have $5 million in liability and WCB for all employees and employers on-site, giving you complete peace of mind.
Common Myths About Pruning and Tree Health
Pruning Paint Myth
Pruning paint is not widely used anymore. Contrary to popular belief, it hinders the healing process rather than accelerating it. Trees have natural mechanisms to compartmentalize wounds.
Seasonal Pruning Restrictions
The belief that pruning can only be done in certain seasons doesn't apply to most species. This doesn't really matter for most species other than a few such as: Maple, Birch and Spruce trees, which benefit from summer pruning to avoid excessive sap flow.
Customized Pruning Plans for Your Landscape
Annual & Seasonal Pruning Schedules
We develop customized pruning schedules based on your landscape's specific needs, ensuring your trees receive the right care at the right time throughout the year.
Tailored Solutions for Different Tree Species
Different tree species have unique growth patterns and pruning requirements. Our arborists understand these differences and apply species-specific techniques for optimal results.
Monitoring & Adjusting Based on Tree Growth
We continuously monitor your trees' response to pruning and adjust our approach as needed, ensuring long-term health and beauty for your valuable landscape assets.
Schedule a Consultation with Our Arborists
On-Site Tree Assessments
Personalized Pruning Plans
Expert Advice for Long-Term Tree Health
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my trees and shrubs pruned?
The frequency of pruning depends on the tree species, age, health, and your specific goals. Generally, most mature trees benefit from pruning every 3-5 years, while young trees may need more frequent pruning to establish proper structure. Fruit trees typically require annual pruning, and some fast-growing species may need attention more often. Our arborists can recommend a customized schedule based on your landscape's specific needs.
Do you offer one-time services or ongoing maintenance?
We offer both one-time pruning services and ongoing maintenance plans. Many clients prefer to establish a regular maintenance schedule to ensure their trees remain healthy and attractive year-round. Our maintenance plans can be customized to your specific needs and budget, providing peace of mind and consistent care for your valuable landscape assets.
What can be pruned?
We provide pruning services for all types of trees, shrubs, and woody plants. This includes shade trees, ornamental trees, fruit trees, evergreens, deciduous trees, privacy hedges, and decorative shrubs. Each plant type requires specific pruning techniques, which our trained arborists are skilled in applying appropriately.
How do I know if my trees need pruning?
Signs that your trees may need pruning include dead or broken branches, branches touching buildings or power lines, excessive density blocking light, crossed or rubbing branches, uneven or unbalanced growth, or signs of disease or pest infestation. If you're unsure, our arborists can assess your trees and provide professional recommendations.
What happens if a tree is over-pruned?
Over-pruning (sometimes called 'topping') can severely damage trees by removing too much of the canopy, which trees need for food production through photosynthesis. This can lead to stress, sunscald on exposed branches, excessive sucker growth, increased susceptibility to pests and diseases, and structural weakening. Our certified arborists follow industry best practices to ensure proper pruning that maintains tree health and integrity.
Can pruning fix a tree that is growing unevenly?
Strategic pruning can help balance a tree that's growing unevenly, but it's a gradual process that may take several pruning cycles. We can selectively prune to encourage growth in specific directions and discourage growth in others. However, some asymmetry may be part of a tree's natural character, and forcing perfect symmetry isn't always appropriate or possible.
Is my tree growing too close to my foundation?
Trees planted too close to foundations can potentially cause problems through root growth or by dropping debris onto roofs and into gutters. If you're concerned about a tree's proximity to your home, our arborists can assess the situation and recommend appropriate actions, which might include selective pruning, root pruning, or in some cases, removal if the tree poses a significant risk.
What's the best time to prune flowering plants?
The best time to prune flowering plants depends on when they bloom. For spring-flowering plants that bloom on old wood (like lilacs, forsythia, and some hydrangeas), prune immediately after flowering. For summer-flowering plants that bloom on new wood (like most roses and butterfly bush), prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
How does pruning impact fruit production?
Proper pruning can significantly improve fruit production by increasing sunlight penetration and air circulation throughout the tree. This leads to better flower formation, improved pollination, reduced disease pressure, and ultimately higher quality fruit. Different fruit tree species require specific pruning approaches to maximize production, which our specialists are trained to provide.
What Our Customers Say
"Jarrett is amazingly knowledgeable about the trees and how to care for them! His crew did a fantastic job cleaning up the trees! They went above and beyond!"
Marilyn R.
Ready to Improve Your Trees' Health and Appearance?
Contact our team of certified arborists today to schedule a consultation and discover how our professional pruning services can enhance your landscape.
Request Your Free Estimate