We specialize in the practice of arboriculture, which is the management and maintenance of amenity trees. Work can include tree surgery and also care of shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. We focus on establishing and maintaining the health and safety of individual trees, or wooded landscapes.

 

Trees may need pruning for health and good structure, for aesthetic reasons, and to permit people to walk under them. They might also require other care to improve their chances for survival, including treatments in response to damage from biotic or abiotic factors. Trees in urban landscape settings are often subject to human and natural disturbances above and below ground, and in need of solutions provided by arborists. Timing or methods depend on the species of tree and the purpose of the work, and a thorough knowledge of local species and environments is necessary to determine the best practices. Trees may also require pruning to keep them away from wires, fences and buildings.

There can be a vast difference between the techniques and practices of professional arborists and those (without adequate training) who simply "trim trees". Some practices of (uneducated) tree workers are considered unacceptable by modern arboriculture standards. One example of an "unacceptable" practice is called "topping", "lopping" or "hatracking", when entire tops of trees or main stems are cut off, causing detrimental effects; generally done by cross-cutting the main stem or leaders, leaving big flat topped stubs.

Pruning should only be done with a specific purpose in mind. Every cut is a wound, and every leaf lost is removal of some photosynthetic potential. Proper pruning can be helpful in many ways, but should always be done with the minimum amount of live tissue removed.