Reductions

A crown reduction may be necessary to prevent your tree overshadowing underlying areas that are affected by blocked sunlight, such as flower beds and grassed areas for example. A crown reduction can also be an effective way to encourage new growth in a declining tree.  Cutting the branches shorter to decrease the size of the canopy sends a strong signal to stimulate new growth. The branches are carefully cut to ensure they heal quickly and re-grow properly to form a new crown.

Pollarding

Pollarding is the technique of regularly pruning trees or shrubs back to a trunk to form a head of branches.

Pollarding may be required for example to restrict the growth of your tree in a confined space, or to create a formal shape and encourage production of stems with more colourful leaves and decorative bark.

The practice of pollarding should be carried out as a form of training from when the tree is young and should not be used as a means of reducing growth on an older tree.

Pollarding is similar to coppicing, but the difference between the two is that coppicing involves cutting a tree or shrub back to the stump at ground level, whereas a pollarded tree has a trunk that broadens with age and a head with stubs of branches from which new shoots grow each year.

In traditional woodland management, both techniques were used for practical reasons such as firewood production and the harvesting of straight stems for fencing.

Crown Reshaping

Reshaping generally refers to altering the shape of a tree by thinning  and crown reduction  or crown lifting, to reduce your trees size and enhance its shape. These techniques offer many benefits for the overall health and life of your tree.

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning allows more light through to mid-level branches which is particularly  important for broad-leafed trees such as beech, oak, ash and sycamore.  Up to 30% of your trees branches may be removed to reduce density, weight and wind resistance,  leading to a decrease in the chance of  your tree suffering storm damage.  

Lopping

Tree lopping and tree pruning are two important services for the preservation and maintenance  of trees. They both involve trimming or cutting branches, but there are significant differences between them that can have a major impact on the health of your trees. 

Tree lopping is the act of removing large sections of a tree, typically entire branches. The purpose is often to reduce the size of an overly large tree or remove dangerous limbs that may pose a risk to people and property below.

Lopping can do more harm than good if done incorrectly by inexperienced operators as it can leave your tree weakened and open to disease.

London Treescapes' qualified team of skilled tree surgeons understands the risks involved and are on hand to advise you of the best course of action.

Please contact our arborist for a free site visit, friendly advice and a free no obligation written quotation on 07702 257 656 or  email:  enquiries@londontreescapes.co.uk

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