The ANSI Standards for Tree Pruning

Tree pruning is a critical part of tree care. Trees must be pruned to promote new, strong, healthy growth, as well as, to promote safety and security of landscaping trees. Not only is tree pruning a vital component to your tree’s overall health, it is a dangerous job that requires decades of hands-on experience and practice. It also requires specific tools, equipment, and most importantly, the right knowledge.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

Indianapolis Tree Pruning 317-590-1842

The American National Standards Institute

Improper tree pruning can kill trees, so the techniques and methods used to prune trees is very specific. In fact, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) developed a set of standards for proper tree pruning that is used among true professional tree service contractors. This set of voluntary industry consensus standards was written by the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC), and is called the American National Standards Institute A300, or ASC A300. They are the generally accepted industry standards for tree care practices. They continue the initiative of developing consensus performance standards based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.

The Parts of ANSI A300

Tree pruning is only the first part of the ANSI A300. It other parts include soil management, supplemental support systems, lightning protection systems, management, planting and transplanting, integrate vegetation management, root management standard, tree risk assessment, and IPM (pest management).

ANSI A300 Tree Pruning Standards Cover:

✂ Pruning Objectives
✂ Pruning Systems
✂ Pruning Specifications
✂ Pruning Cuts
✂ Pruning Practices
✂ Palms and Similar Plants
✂ Pruning Definitions

You can view the ANSI A300 in full at https://www.tcia.org.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning You Can Trust

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for Indianapolis tree pruning you can trust. Owner, Curt Scott, provides a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices around. We aren’t called Budget Tree Care for no reason; we guarantee to FIT YOUR BUDGET! Call 317-590-1842 to request a free estimate for tree service in Indianapolis, today.

The Advantages of Tree Pruning for Winter

Most would agree the spring and summer seasons in are the prime time to care for your landscaping and trees. But the truth is, it is important to pay attention to your trees during the wintertime as well. Winter tree care is highly beneficial for your landscaping trees in many ways, especially tree pruning. Continue reading to learn all the advantages of winter tree pruning, and protocol for prompt and professional tree service you can trust in your neighborhood.

Winter Tree Pruning

Treat pruning is the practice of trimming and cutting back tree branches for the purpose of stimulating new healthy growth. This is why tree pruning is so vital for winter. The harsh conditions are influential enough on landscaping trees, but add that with neglect, in your trees are not likely to survive the season. Tree pruning in the wintertime is a common practice because it promotes vigorous, healthy branch growth come spring and summer. The best time to prune trees is in the coldest part of the season. By then, trees are fully in their dormancy stage.

A Haircut for a Tree?

You can think of it as getting a haircut for yourself; if you want your hair to grow and be healthy, it requires occasional trimming, as well as other forms of care, like routine cleansing, conditioning, eating a healthy diet, taking vitamins, and more. In a similar sense, trees require the same type of care in order to grow strong and healthy. And winter tree pruning is exactly what they need this time of year.

Benefits of Pruning in the Wintertime

There are several advantages to pruning trees in the wintertime. These advantages are most visible come spring and summer when foliage and branches are full-grown and bursting with life and color. This includes flowers, leaves, and fruits. Pruning during the dormancy stage of trees also allows the exposed cuts to recover and heal better. This reduces the likelihood of tree diseases, pest infestations, and infections. There is also less of a chance for trees to wilt due to a lack of water. During the dormancy stage, trees to not require the same amount of water as they do during the growing seasons.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree pruning services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Curt Scott, and his team of licensed tree care contractors, provide a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in town; hence the name “Budget Tree Care!” Call 317-590-1842 to request free estimate for Indianapolis tree service, today. Don’t forget to ask about our tree service coupons and discounts too!

Why is Tree Topping Harmful to Trees?

Many people believe that tree topping is an effective form of pruning. The truth is, it is not an acceptable technique at all. In fact, tree topping is the most harmful tree care practice used for pruning trees. Somehow, it has remained a common means to prune trees despite the tedious warnings from tree care experts. But there are times when trees can be topped.

Tree topping is an acceptable practice when performed on dead trees for the purpose of aesthetics or hindered views. If you want the best for your landscaping trees, continue reading to learn more about tree topping and its harmful effects on trees.

Unselective Branch Removal

Topping trees involves cutting most or all branches and limbs down to short stubs. Essentially, it is the process of removing tree branches and limbs without being selective or concerned. Tree topping also goes by the names, “tipping”, “hat-racking”, “heading”, and “rounding over.” The most common reason people choose to top a tree is to shorten it or reduce its size. Unless the tree is already dead, this is highly-detrimental to its survival. That is because tree topping is not an effective method for reducing the height or span of a tree. Homeowners also have trees topped when they feel that their tree is too large and may pose a danger in the future. But this is not an effective method for reducing tree hazards either. What topping will do is increase the risk of tree hazards and problems.

Tree Stress

Trees are living organisms, which means they too can experience a decline in health and well-being. And when they are treated improperly, they can become stressed, which can result in tree health decline and more. Stress is a common side effect a tree can experience as a result of tree topping. Most of a tree’s life-bearing crown is removed during the tree topping process, which inhibits their ability to obtain sufficient food. And when they cannot get enough food, they starve, thus triggering various other survival instincts and mechanisms.

For instance, it can trigger dormant buds to activate, which then prompts epicormic shoots to grow rapidly from every cut. This is the tree’s attempt to re-grow foliage as quickly as possible in order to survive. Unfortunately, topped trees often weaken and die because they cannot grow enough leaves back to sufficiently feed themselves.

Other Negative Effects of Tree Topping:

🌳 Decay occurs because the tree cannot close or heal its large cuts.
🌳 Exposed trees are prone to sunburn.
🌳 Epicormic sprouts can fall and damage property or injure people and pets.
🌳 Unhealthy trees attract pests and diseases.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree pruning services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Curt Scott has decades of experience in the tree care industry, and provides a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree removal, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and much more. Call 317-590-1842 to request an estimate for Indianapolis tree pruning, today.