End weight reduction pruning targets overextended limbs that are bowing or growing in a horizontal direction—the branches that are sticking well out past the rest of the canopy. The tree structure can only handle so much of this, and way before it self -prunes or breaks, this can be worrisome—especially when limbs are overhanging the street, parked cars, structures, powerlines, telephone lines, or other infrastructure.
This type of pruning specifically targets reducing the outer crown of the canopy back to a secondary limb, utilizing the 1/3 diameter rule—cutting the overlaid stem back to a secondary stem that is at least 1/3 the size of the stem being cut. This is proper pruning known in our arboriculture, and trained Arborist Professional Tree Trimmers are always looking for making these types of cuts at Bay Area Tree Specialists.
Why Bay Area Tree Specialists Gets It Done Right
Bay Area Tree Specialists utilizes bucket trucks (aerial lifts) with articulating arms. This allows the Arborist to get out to the end of the trees and prevent improper pruning—because we can actually target the end weight in the outer crown where the problem is.
Other less knowing tree companies often utilize climbers that cannot reach the outer ends, so they end up thinning out the crown interior canopy instead of reducing the end weight. This is very detrimental to the tree and can cause problems such as lion’s tailing and sun scald, because there is no canopy in the center of the tree to protect the trunk from sunburn damage.
These types of poor pruning practices lead to poor branch taper and irreversible structural damage.
Professional, Consistent Pruning
This is very important to us as we maintain trees in multiple cities in the Bay Area, and cities and property managers are looking for consistent professional pruning throughout the tree inventory—especially where public safety and infrastructure protection matter most.
If you have long horizontal limbs reaching over targets, ask for end weight reduction pruning—done correctly, with proper reduction cuts in the outer canopy.