What is a crown raising or lift?
Crown raising or crown lifting is achieved by removing the lowest branches of a tree.
The crown is the outer area’s which hold the branches supporting the leaves.
Usually, we measure this in metres, where the crown line is to be raised. The lower area is then cut precisely to lift this crown line. A professional tree surgeon will convert this lift into a percentage.
Ideally, a restriction of this line to no more than 15% of the crown height and 66% of the complete tree height is advisable. Furthermore, a specific fixed point as a note should be a reference, for example, “crown raise to achieve 6.0m clearance above road level”.
What are the reasons for crown raising?
Crown raising, a common arborist technique, is usually performed to increase ground clearance. Some reasons to remove lower branches are:
- removing obstructions to traffic
- preventing from contact with property
- allowing more light to areas under the tree
- improving the view or line of sight
Much less damage is at risk to the tree than crown reduction or crown thinning, but there are risks. It’s advisable the work in done gradually over the years.
Norwich based tree surgeons, Target Trees, will only lift a crown after a full risk assessment.
What are the methods of raising a crown?
To avoid damage to the tree, its critical work is carried out to promote the tree’s health. When raising a crown is performed we want to:
- Keep as much foliage as possible (it’s the tree’s food source);
- Allow the tree’s supporting structures to remain intact;
- Leave smaller branches on the tree if possible;
- Prevent decay by not over-pruning the tree.
The consequences of not following these methods could result in the trunk of a tree risking sunburn, epicormic growth and decay.
Our professional tree surgeons carrying out crown raising will always keep the future health of the tree a priority. There is no point in unnecessarily cutting healthy parts of a tree to create problems in the future.
What is a crown reduction?
Crown reduction involves pruning the outer areas of the tree’s height and spread. These outer areas which hold the branches supporting the leaves is known as the crown. The idea is to make the shape smaller.
Measured in metres, the crown is reduced by strategically cutting branches that hold the foliage (the leafy branches). An expert arborist will measure this reduction in a percentage (from 5-30%).
A tree’s species will define the maximum area of crown reduction it can tolerate. Our expert tree surgeons based in Norwich can advise on these matters.
What are the reasons for crown reduction?
Crown reduction is undertaken to protect the health of a tree. Therefore, it is the most common tree surgeon practice.
Here are some reasons why reducing a tree is maybe required.
- Prevent a tree from damaging or obstructing nearby property or buildings;
- Stabilise the canopy of a tree following damage by storm or decay;
- Reduce the tree to prevent interference with power or phone lines overhead;
- Remove branches under stress;
- Lessen the chances of damage in high winds;
- Encourage growth in a tree.
To reduce the tree’s development of further health risks, crown reduction is performed. Cutting into a tree is invasive, the minimal reduction is therefore advised.
An alternate option for some of the above reasons is crown thinning.
Our Norfolk based arborists will only reduce a crown after a full tree health assessment.
What are the methods of reducing a crown?
This method of pruning must be performed correctly to avoid further damage. It’s equally important crown reduction is not confused with crown topping. When crown reducing:
- It is vital to ensure as much foliage is left intact;
- The supporting structure of a tree remains intact;
- A tree will still look natural and well balanced;
- Branches are only cut back to a growth point;
- Fewer cuts are made to prevent decay.
An expert arborist will always ensure the health of the tree is not compromised. This means cutting back minimal areas of the healthy parts of the tree.
Leafy areas should be retained as much as possible for the tree’s food source. Growth areas should be maintained to avoid the future risk of decay.
Conclusively, an experienced tree surgeon should be used for this reason.
What is a crown thinning?
Crown thinning involves removing smaller branches within the crown of the tree. The crown is the outers areas of the tree holding the branches with leaves. The idea is to thin out the density of the tree, without altering the shape or size of the tree itself.
The crown is thinned by methodically removing branches which hold the foliage (the leafy branches). An expert arborist will measure this reduction in a percentage (from 5-30%). It is recommended the tree is not thinned to more than 30% of the tree’s structure.
Crown thinning toleration is subject to the species of tree. Expert tree surgeons based in Norfolk will advise on these matters.
What are the reasons for crown thinning?
Crown thinning is used to protect the future safety and health of a tree. For these reasons, it is one of the most common arborist techniques used.
Here are some reasons thinning a tree could be required:
- Remove branches under the intense weight of foilage;
- Reduce wind resistance;
- To allow more light through;
- Remove rubbing branches causing deadwood.
Cutting branches from a tree is highly invasive, the minimal thinning is therefore advised. An alternate option for some of the above reasons is a crown reduction.
Our Norwich based tree surgeons will only introduce crown thinning after an expert tree examination.
What are the methods of thinning a crown?
It’s important to protect the tree’s future health, this arborist technique is achieved correctly..
When crown thinning:
- Leafy areas should be retained as much as possible to promote the tree’s food source;
- The structure for supporting the tree remains present;
- A tree’s density will still look natural;
- To prevent decay the least amount of cuts are made.
Consequently, professional tree surgeons will always keep the tree’s health in mind.
