Pruning is one of the most common misunderstood tree care operations. At one time one could look up a tree company and under one of the service listing it would say (topping) these days that won’t be found under the service listings of an up to date educated tree care firm. Much like a podiatrist caring for your feet wouldn’t list foot removal as one of its services, although if your foot had a severe case of gang-green, removal might be an option in order to save your leg or live. Tree pruning is a broad term associated with the word (trimming) and in each case needs to be specifically directed toward the goals of the customer and final outcome of the tree.

Mature tree pruning for tree health and safety may consist mostly of dead wood removal and selective live limb pruning of diseased, cracked or co-dominant leader reduction. Whereas pruning for more light to the house or lawn and pruning of limbs interfering with buildings, sidewalks, driveways etc. come under clearance and aesthetic pruning.