Raising the canopy

Before raising: The tree has never been pruned so there are many leaders growing from a short trunk. Branches are on the building and in the wrong position. Canopy is full of foliage and low to the ground. Clearance is needed for pedestrians and vehicles.

After raising: Large branches were removed from the lower trunk. This places most of the foliage high off the ground. Future growth occurs from the few stems that were left, and this growth will result in a taller and wider canopy. A taller and wider canopy is more prone to failure in a wind storm and under the forces of gravity. Allowing trees to grow to this point without pruning results in a tree form as seen above that is very difficult to work with. A better way to manage trees is to begin pruning when the tree is much younger to develop one trunk that grows straight up, and keep branches small compared to the trunk. This will allow you to removed these small branches as needed to clear the building. Removing the small branches will not be noticed as much as the pruning that resulted here, and the tree will be stronger. Click here to learn how to do this.