Tree Pruning Services
Pruning is the selective removal of specific branches for a specific reason: a stronger structure, clearance over a roof, less wind resistance, or deadwood out of the canopy. Good pruning is measured by what is left on the tree, not how much is cut off.
What is tree pruning?
Tree pruning removes selected branches to improve a tree’s structure, health or clearance. In Central Florida the most valuable pruning is structural pruning of young and mid-size oaks: a single strong leader and well-spaced limbs are what keep trees standing in hurricane winds.
Types of pruning we do
Each type has a different goal. Telling us the goal gets a better result than asking us to "trim the tree".
- Structural pruning: developing one dominant trunk and removing competing leaders and weak forks on young trees
- Crown cleaning: removing dead, broken and crossing branches
- Crown raising: lifting lower limbs over roofs, driveways, walks and lawns
- Crown thinning: selectively removing interior branches to reduce weight and wind resistance
- Clearance pruning: pulling limbs back from the house, screen enclosures and fences
Why structural pruning matters here
UF/IFAS hurricane research found that trees with a single dominant trunk and well-spaced branches held up better in storms than trees with co-dominant stems and tight forks. Live oaks and laurel oaks planted in Central Florida yards often develop two or three competing leaders.
Structural pruning is done in stages over several years, starting when the tree is young. It is far cheaper and safer to correct a fork at 4 inches than to deal with a split at 24 inches.
What we will not do: topping
Topping cuts large limbs back to stubs to shrink the tree. It produces weakly attached regrowth that is more likely to fail in the next storm, and it opens large wounds to decay. If a tree is too big for its space, we will talk through reduction cuts or removal instead.
When to prune
Most pruning can be done year-round in Florida. Removing dead and hazardous branches should not wait. For heavier structural work, many owners schedule before hurricane season starts in June so the canopy is ready for summer storms.
What affects
the price?
- Tree size and how many trees are in the scope
- Type of pruning and how much of the canopy is involved
- Access: bucket truck, climbing or rope work
- Roofs, pool screens, fences and wires under the work area
- Chipping and hauling of the cut branches
Every job gets a written estimate before work starts. We are licensed and insured, and estimates are free.
Get a
free estimate.
Call (386) 675-7898 or request a free estimate with the address, a few safe photos and what you want the finished area to look like.
Common
questions.
How much of a tree can be pruned at once?
For most healthy mature trees, removing more than about a quarter of the live canopy in one visit causes stress. Younger trees tolerate a little more. We plan the cuts so the tree keeps enough leaf area.
Is pruning the same as trimming?
People use the words interchangeably. On our site, tree trimming covers general clearance work and pruning covers structural and corrective work done for the tree’s long-term health.
Will pruning make my tree hurricane-proof?
No pruning makes a tree storm-proof. Good structure and reduced end weight lower the risk; poor cuts and topping raise it.
Do you prune palms?
Yes. Palms have different rules: see our palm tree trimming page.