It can also enhance the beauty and economic value of our landscapes. While this may be unsightly, it does not hurt the tree. The collar contains trunk or parent branch tissue and should not be damaged or removed. Crown thinning is the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. It also reduces weight on heavy limbs and helps retain the tree's natural shape.
Crown raising removes lower branches to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, etc.
Crown reduction reduces the size of a tree by pruning back leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches large enough to assume the treetop, or terminal, role. This depends on tree size, species, age and pruning objectives. A tree can recover from several small pruning wounds better than one large wound. Young trees can tolerate pruning better than old ones. Mature trees should require little pruning.