Proper tree pruning requires a detailed understanding of plant physiology, as well as an artistic sense for which limbs should stay and which should go. Beware of vague recommendations that say no more than "trim." Poor tree "trimming" practices can cause a tree to decline, die, or become structurally weakened, whereas knowledgeable pruning decisions can enhance and protect the health and stability of a tree.
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Most pruning is done to achieve one or more of the following goals:

• Cleaning: the removal of dead, dying, diseased, and rubbing limbs to reduce hazards and promote better health
• Thinning: the removal of a certain percentage of foliage to allow for more light and air penetration or to reduce the amount of mass exposed to severe weather events
• Raising: the removal of lower limbs to provide adequate clearances for sidewalks, drives, vistas, and houses
• Reduction: reducing the size of a tree or shrub by carefully cutting back limbs to appropriate junctions
• Structural integrity: involves training young trees to develop good structure for future growth, as well as pruning mature trees to limit the risk of failure

At Guardian, we do not top trees or use spikes when we climb to prune your trees. These antiquated practices are harmful to trees and are against our industry's standards for proper maintenance.