PRUNING STANDARDS
The information below is from the American National
Standards for pruning, ANSI A300-2001, designed to help you understand exactly
what will be accomplished in a pruning operation
Branch
Size:
The minimum or Maximum
diameter size of branches to be removed should be specified in all pruning
operations. This establishes how much
pruning is to be done.
Pruning
Objectives
Pruning objectives should
be established prior to beginning any pruning operation. ANSI A300-2001 provides 2 basic objectives.
1) Hazard
Reduction Pruning
Hazard reduction pruning (HRP) is recommended when the
primary objective is to reduce the danger to a specific target caused by
visibly defined hazards in a tree.
For example your estimate may read:
Objective: Rear
maple tree has multiple dead limbs over the shed, hazard reduction pruning is
recommended
2) Maintenance
Pruning
Maintenance
pruning (MP) is recommended when the primary objective is to maintain or
improve tree health and structure and include hazard reduction pruning
For example,
your estimate may read:
Objective:
Maintenance prune back yard tree to maintain or improve vigor, health,
structure and included hazard reduction pruning
Pruning
Types
Hazard
reduction pruning and maintenance pruning should consist of one or more of the
pruning types noted below.
Crown Cleaning: Crown cleaning shall consist of the selective
removal of one or more of the following items:
dead, dying or diseased branches, weak branches and sprouts (sucker growth).
Crown Thinning: Crown thinning shall consist of the selective
removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement and reduce
weight.
Crown Raising: Crown raising shall consist of the removal of
lower branches to provide clearance.
Crown Reduction: Crown reduction decreases the height and (or)
spread of a tree. Consideration should
be given to the ability of a species to sustain this type or pruning.
Renewal Pruning: Renewal pruning is
performed on multiple-stemmed shrubs by removing approximately 1/3 of the
oldest and tallest stems near ground level to encourage development of new
stems.
Vista Pruning: Vista pruning is selective thinning of
framework of limbs or specific areas of the crown to allow a view of an object
from a predetermined point.
Crown Restoration: Crown restoration pruning should improve the
structure, form and appearance of trees, which have been severly headed
(topped), vandalized or storm damaged.
Young Trees; Removal of select branches to aid in growth
and structural development.
NOTE: Due to the threat of Dutch Elm Disease, to
Elms, and Oak Wilt, to Oak Trees, pruning of these species will occur only
between October 15 and April 1 as per Wisconsin DNR
Regs.
Crown cleaning
\
Crown thinning
Crown raising
Crown raising
Crown Reduction
Renewal pruning
Vista pruning
Crown restoration
Scott Harrington Landscape And Tree Service, LLC
608-354-8228
ISA Certified Arborist (#NE-7141)
