If you have large trees on your property, you may need to begin thinning the crown or canopy of the tree year after year. When performed properly, thinning your tree will improve its health, its beauty, and it can provide you with a myriad of other benefits. Here at JRP Tree & Demolition, we have certified arborists on staff who have been educated on how to properly thin the crown of a tree. We have the proper experience, tools, and knowledge to ensure that your tree thrives for years to come. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment, or continue reading to learn more about the benefits of crown thinning, learn about our crown thinning techniques, and find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions — all of which are listed below.
Improved tree health: Thinning your tree doesn’t just improve the look of the tree, it’ll improve its health and longevity if it is performed properly. Cutting some of the branches of your tree every year (preferably before the growing season) will help the remaining branches to grow stronger. When we cut branches off of your tree, all of the other branches will benefit from more access to moisture and nutrients from the soil, as well as more sunlight. We can also take care to cut any branches that are damaged or diseased. These branches may still leech water and nutrients, yet they don’t benefit the growth of your tree.
Removing damaged branches: While we’re thinning the canopy of your tree, we’ll cut down any branches that are damaged. We always keep a keen eye out for discolored branches, branches that are missing their bark, and branches that have mold or fungal growth. We’ll also cut any branches that are no longer producing leaves.
Colliding branches: If you have branches throughout your tree that are rubbing together, they could end up damaging each other. We can selectively cut branches so that they don’t collide with each other or with the branches of another tree. Keep an eye out for branches that are missing bark, as this may be an indication that your branches are growing too close together.
Other obstructions: Your tree may also be too close to objects around your property, or you may have branches that are growing too close to your home or garage. If branches are approaching the side of your house, phone or power lines, or any other objects, we can trim them back to ensure that your tree won’t grow to be in harm’s way.
Extra light: If you have plants that are suffering from too little light, then you can thin the crown of your tree to let additional light through. You may also have a backyard that is overly shady, or your tree may be casting shadows on your favorite hangout spot on the deck. Regardless of your circumstances, crown thinning can help to balance the light throughout your landscape, and it will ensure that sunlight reaches the lower branches of your tree, as well as any plant life that resides underneath your tree.
Better tree shape and size: If you have a tree with scraggly, unsightly branches, or a tree that is blocking an otherwise wonderful view from your house, then crown thinning can help to improve the aesthetic of your tree. With crown thinning, you can control the size and shape of trees on your property, and you can control the directions in which your tree continues to grow in the future. If you’d like to fine tune the look of your landscape with well maintained trees, our arborists can work with you to determine the best shape and size for the trees throughout your property.
Unbalanced trees: If your tree is leaning, or if you’re concerned that it may fall over due to poor weight distribution, then canopy thinning can help. If your tree is unbalanced, we can lop off tree branches that are overgrown. We also offer cabling and bracing services for trees that are leaning or liable to topple over. It’s our goal to ensure that your tree is well balanced with all of our crown thinning jobs.
Crown thinning shouldn’t be performed by those who don’t know what they’re doing, for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s dangerous to get up into the canopy of a tree to cut the branches. Secondly, it is crucial to cut the right branches, the right way, so as not to damage the tree. If a tree’s branches are improperly cut, the tree could die, or you could have lion’s tails (or small branch sprouts) that form on the ends of your cut branches.
As we mentioned, we have certified arborists on staff who are educated on the proper techniques to trim your trees. We’ll do our utmost to ensure that we don’t damage your tree during a thinning project — in fact, we aim to make your tree healthier than it already is. We’re always sure to remove branches at the right juncture, and we only cut branches that are not essential to the survival of the tree (often, many of the larger, vertically oriented branches are crucial for continual growth of the tree). In addition, we strive to only cut branches that stem off of one another in a V shape. These branches are usually unessential, and they may end up competing for sunlight, moisture, and nutrients from the soil. We will leave primary branches, including U-shaped branches and thick, vertical branches, since these branches are essential to maintain the integrity and balance of your tree.
Also, we’re always careful not to trim too much off of your tree at a given time. Trimming your tree too quickly in a given year can damage or kill the tree. At most, we’ll trim a third of the tree or less in a given year, unless it’s absolutely essential to trim a higher percentage of the tree.
When is crown thinning required?
Crown thinning should be performed every year or two, depending on the growth and size of the tree. You should have an arborist take a look at your tree to see if it could benefit from a crown thinning. Be wary that trees with overgrown branches, damaged branches, discolored branches, or branches that have lost their bark should be trimmed. Be on the lookout for branches that have moss or fungus growing on them as well, and keep an eye out for branches that no longer grow foliage. All of these branches can prove dangerous for those who pass underneath the tree, and they may end up killing the tree itself, if left unattended.
What time of year should I thin my tree’s crown?
While the ideal trimming period will vary from tree to tree, it’s generally best to have your trees’ crowns thinned during the winter, usually just before spring rolls around. During this period, your trees will be dormant, which means that they won’t be damaged by a cut branch. As winter turns into spring, cut branches will heal quickly, and the remaining branches on your tree will thrive, thanks to the extra access to water, nutrients, and sunlight that the crown thinning will provide.
How long does it take to thin the crown of a tree?
With the right equipment and with our expertise, it shouldn’t take more than a day to thin the crown of your tree. That said, if you have a very large tree, or a tree that is placed precariously near your home, power lines, or other obstructions, it may take longer to ensure that the branches can be lowered down safely. If you’d like to learn about a time estimate for your project, and to schedule a convenient time for your crown thinning, simply give us a call.
Can you trim branches that are hanging over my home or in a dangerous location?
Absolutely. We have the proper equipment to remove branches that could prove hazardous if they were to fall freely after being cut. Instead of simply lopping off these branches so that they tumble down to the ground, we will tie off these branches before we cut them. Then we will safely lower them down. We also have the proper climbing gear to scale your trees, if necessary, or we can resort to using a crane to access the canopy of your tree, depending on the accessibility of your property and the size of your tree (our crane can only reach so far).
Are you certified arborists?
Yes! We have International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborists on our team who have the knowledge necessary to ensure that your trees are looking their best. You’re sure to be satisfied with our tree care services and the look of your landscape.
JRP Tree & Demolition is Houston’s local source for tree care services. Our trained arborists are experienced in trimming tree canopies, and we’re sure to leave your trees at their healthiest and your property looking its best. Plus, we have over thirty years of experience serving our neighbors throughout Houston. We base our business around providing quality tree care, fair prices, and excellent customer service. Plus our tree care services don’t stop at canopy thinning. We provide all sorts of services, from stump grinding to tree fertilization, and from tree planting to tree removal. You can get started with an estimate for your project or find the answers to any questions you may have by reaching out to us.
We are a family owned and operated company with nearly 30 years experience in Houston, Texas and the surrounding areas. We offer quality, customer service, competitive prices, and flexible scheduling.
