Tree Pruning Types: A Graded Guide for Homeowners
A report card on tree trimming techniques. Learn which benefit trees and which harm them.
Not all tree pruning is created equal. Whether you’re wondering how to prune a tree properly or trying to understand the difference between structural pruning and topping, this guide explains it all. Below, you’ll find a glossary of tree pruning types — graded from best practices to harmful mistakes — to help you care for your trees with confidence.
- “A” means the pruning helps the tree and might also solve human concerns.
- “B” means that it is appropriate pruning to solve human/tree conflicts, and if done well, poses minimal harm to the tree.
- “C” means that the pruning is for primarily aesthetic reasons and could pose variable harm to the tree depending on the pruning dose and the skill of the arborist doing the work.
- “F” means that this kind of pruning should never be considered.
Structural Pruning
Pruning aimed at developing strong tree architecture—typically encouraging a single dominant leader, reducing competing limbs, managing limb spacing, and shortening overly long branches to reduce the risk of failure. Best done when the tree is young and may need to be done every 2 or 3 years until the structure is strong. The only type of pruning that is done solely for the tree’s benefit.
Retrenchment Pruning
Used for very mature or veteran trees. Involves reducing the size of the crown by removing declining or dead limbs while encouraging growth closer to the trunk, helping the tree transition to a smaller, sustainable form. Suitable for trees showing high vitality.
Weight Reduction Pruning
Shortening overextended limbs to reduce weight load and the risk of breakage, particularly in mature trees with large horizontal limbs. Primarily to address hazard situations, but it is also helpful to the tree.
Crown Restoration Pruning
Gradual pruning to recover natural form and structure after improper pruning (like topping) or storm damage. Involves careful thinning of suckers and sprouts over time. Needs to be performed every year or two until a better form is established. Suitable for trees with good vitality.
Clearance Pruning
Removing or shortening branches to create space between the tree and structures, sidewalks, roadways, or utilities. Focuses on mitigating conflict between trees and human infrastructure. Best done when trees are young to minimize the size of pruning wounds.
Crown Raising
A subtype of clearance pruning. Removing or shortening lower branches to increase clearance under the canopy. This is done entirely for human needs and is best done when the tree is young. It can be part of a structural pruning program. Overdone, this is called “limbing up,” which is a poor practice that creates lollipop trees, which are susceptible to storm breakage.
Deadwood Pruning
Removal of dead, dying, or broken branches for safety, aesthetics, or to prevent property damage. Rarely affects the tree’s health but improves safety. It can also be used to assess tree decline by monitoring the appearance of new dead wood after dead wood has been pruned out.
Crown Cleaning
Removing dead, diseased, broken, or weak branches from the crown. Primarily improves safety and aesthetics, with little benefit for tree health.
Espalier
A highly controlled form of pruning where trees are trained to grow flat against a wall or frame in formal patterns. Primarily used for fruit trees and ornamentals.
Pollarding
A high-maintenance, intentional pruning system starts when a tree is young. All new shoots are cut back to the same points (pollard heads) on a regular cycle. This is a common type of pruning in Europe to maintain the size of street trees. Not recommended unless committed to ongoing maintenance. Crape myrtles can tolerate this treatment.
Thinning
Selective removal of branches to reduce canopy density. It can improve airflow and light penetration, but is mostly for aesthetic purposes and must be done judiciously to avoid structural weakening. Overdone, it could become lion-tailing, which is a detrimental practice.
Vista Pruning
This is specialized pruning to create windows through a canopy that is blocking a desired view. This has no benefits for the tree, other than it’s better for the tree than being cut down! Properly done, care is made not to lion’s tail, limb up or top any part of the tree.
Crown Reduction
Reducing the height or spread of a tree by cutting back to strong lateral branches. This is rarely a benefit to the tree, but might be done to avoid utility conflicts or manage tree size in constrained spaces. Usually this is only appropriate for small trees in confined spaces. Done incorrectly, it is the same as topping — a very detrimental practice.
Lion's tailing
The improper removal of interior branches and foliage along scaffold limbs leaves tufts of growth only at the tips. Leads to weakened branches, poor wind resistance, sunscald, and possibly increased susceptibility to damage from lightning strikes.
Topping
The harmful practice of cutting the upper portion of a tree to stubs or indiscriminate lateral branches. Causes weak regrowth, structural instability, and significantly reduces the lifespan of trees.
Need help with one of these types of tree trimming, but you don't know where to start? Send us an email and we’ll be in touch about your pruning needs.
