Columbia Tree Trimming & Pruning
We provide corrective tree trimming (aka “pruning”), and training pruning to trees of all ages. While there are numerous methods of pruning trees out there, our Columbia Tree Service will conduct a thorough assessment and provide the correct solution for your tree’s needs. Read the list of reasons to get your tree pruned and the 5 primary methods of how they are conducted below. Once you have read this information, or if your mind is already made up with how you’d like your tree trimmed, get a Work Quote. When a tree has reached the end of its life, tree removal is an option.
Reasons to Prune a Tree
Typically, trees 
are periodically trimmed for one of the following reasons: safety, health, or aesthetics. For example:
- Safety — Dead or broken branches and limbs will eventually fall off at any given time which can pose a serious danger to those that happen to be near them. Additionally, if the branches of a tree obstruct a driver’s vision while driving, this too will pose a risk to the safety of all drivers within the vicinity. In these situations, those branches should be trimmed away to reduce the risk of an accident. Lastly, tree limbs and branches may continually grow too close to power lines which in turn will create a fire hazard and cause power interruptions or outages.
- Health — It is sometimes possible to conserve an infected tree by using the proper pruning methods on the impacted branches and limbs. Additionally, there may be branches crossing and rubbing together and they should be trimmed or completely removed to reduce the risk of injuring itself and those nearby. Further, thinning the crown of a tree will enhance air flow and promote overall health and well-being.
- Aesthetics — Correctly pruning a tree helps keep its shape and beauty. However, if a tree is forced into an abnormal shape or size, this may be harmful to its health and growth. So it is strongly advised to consult with an expert first before undertaking such a task by yourself.
Here in Columbia, MO, the manner that each plant grows and your unique needs dictate what pruning methods we’ll perform for you. For more information on tree pruning checkout Trees Are Good and the Oregon State University’s excellent tutorial on Tree Pruning Basic.
Typically, trees are periodically trimmed for one of the following reasons: safety, health, or aesthetics. For example:
- Safety — Dead or broken branches and limbs can fall off at any time, which can pose a serious danger to those that happen to be near them. Additionally, if the branches of a tree obstruct a driver’s vision while they’re driving, this too will pose a risk to the safety of all drivers within the vicinity, so those branches should be trimmed away to reduce the risk of an accident. Lastly, tree limbs and branches may continually grow too close to power lines which in turn will create a fire hazard and may cause power interruptions or outages.
- Health — It is sometimes possible to conserve an infected tree by using the proper pruning methods on the impacted branches and limbs. Additionally, there may be branches crossing and rubbing together, and they should be trimmed or completely removed to reduce the risk of injuring itself and those nearby. Further, thinning the crown of a tree will enhance air flow and promote overall health and well-being.
- Aesthetics — Correctly pruning a tree helps in keeping its shape and looks. However, if a tree is forced into an abnormal shape or size, this may be harmful to its health and growth. So consulting with an expert first is strongly encouraged before undertaking such a task by yourself.
Here in Columbia, MO, the manner that each plant grows and your unique needs dictate what pruning methods we’ll perform for you. For more information on tree pruning checkout Trees Are Good, and the Oregon State University’s tutorial on Tree Pruning Basics.
Our Columbia Arborists Will Trim Your Tree
There are 5 primary types of tree pruning that arborists utilize to accomplish a preferred pruning strategy:
- Crown Thinning
- Crown Reduction
- Crown Lifting
- Dead Pruning
- Pollarding
CROWN THINNING
Crown thinning is an important tree pruning process that opens the tree canopy. This procedure eliminates smaller, more fragile limbs from the tops of your trees allowing more air and light penetration to the branches and any smaller plants below. Crown thinning also lightens the load to larger limbs, decreasing the threat of those limbs from falling during windy conditions. Our team makes sure that no greater than one-fourth of the live foliage will be removed when thinning a tree so that your tree remains strong and healthy. As a result, our aim is to prevent a weakened structure of branches and damaging bark tissue due to over-thinning.
CROWN REDUCTION
By getting rid of small branches attached to the bigger branches, crown reduction assures that your trees don’t end up being too top heavy. If your tree’s height is an issue, then they’re ideal candidates for this procedure! This is different from tree topping which is simply cutting down branches at predetermined points with little regard to the remaining branch or the presence of lateral branches. Crown reduction is a type of pruning that is very beneficial for youthful trees as this helps encourage younger trees to grow strong and robust without the extra weight of numerous smaller-sized branches.
CROWN LIFTING
Crown lifting is a pruning procedure that removes the low-hanging branches, including limbs weighing down the larger ones, which provides vertical clearance at the tree’s bottom. This process is normally provided for trees that overhang roads, walkways, and residential homes. However, this process may be damaging to more mature, larger trees making it an operation intended more for youthful trees. Crown lifting likewise helps trees to match the rest of your landscape, leaving them both healthy looking and well-manicured.
DEAD PRUNING
Dead pruning is the most basic of all pruning procedures. It involves removing dead, dying, or diseased branches and is essential for any tree. Dead pruning not only eliminates bad limbs but likewise improves the appearance of your trees, quickly enhancing your property’s appeal. Moreover, eliminating all of the dead branches reduces the risk of injury to you and potential damage to your property.
POLLARDING
Pollarding involves cutting all branches down to a certain length so all that remains is a structure of a dense head of foliage. This type of pruning helps keep the size and shape of your tree under control, creating a uniform ball-shaped canopy. Our team uses this procedure when trees are planted in a location where they are not allowed to grow to their full size. Reasons for this may be due to other trees being within close proximity, or because the tree is planted near power lines, fencing, or some other structure. If you choose this type of pruning method for your tree, it is recommended that this procedure is performed when the tree is still young. In addition, these trees should continually undergo pollarding maintenance at regular intervals during its life span. This type of pruning offers a consistent structure of small diameter branches without eliminating your tree.
Tree Care Matters to Us
We proudly serve residents and businesses throughout Dane County. Here in Columbia, Missouri tree care and pruning is an essential part of homeownership and commercial property maintenance. If your trees have not been pruned in a while, it’s time to reach out to our expert team. Not only can we prune your young and mature trees, but we can likewise treat them for diseases and insects. For a precise cost estimate, contact us today and we’ll thoroughly examine and assess your trees.