If you have trees around your property, you know that the branches, canopies, and limbs don't just spruce themselves. An expert has to put in the work to ensure that the trees are healthy and remain looking great. One way to do that is through canopy raising. This process is similar to trimming or pruning a tree.

What Does Canopy Raising Mean?

Some people refer to this service as thinning. The process involves removing a tree's lower branches or limbs that cause can block too much sun and cause obstructions. For example, they can shade smaller trees and plants and inhibit their growth. Heavy trees can also cause significant damage around your home in case of a storm or high winds.

By cutting down limbs at regular intervals, you prevent the tree from growing outwards. This allows the tree to grow upwards instead. We suggest pruning the trees when they're young and continuing to do it as the tree matures. Cutting down limbs of older trees can leave large spots of holes that are not pleasing to the eyes. At times you may end up damaging the tree if the cut is too deep. You may be wondering why you should call a tree pruning company for this service. Let's explore some of the reasons:

Enhances Aesthetics

Most trees produce a lot of branches at almost all trunk levels. Take a look at the pine species, for example. The trees grow limbs while they're still very close to the ground. This branchy appearance may look decent when it comes to pine or other coniferous trees. However, it's not a great appearance for species like oak and sycamore. That's because these trees have many low-set branches that give an unkempt or gnarly appearance.

Because of this, canopy raising comes with aesthetic benefits. When you trim the lower branches, you encourage the tree to grow upwards instead of outwards. This gives the tree and your property a great appearance.

Provides a Safe Place to Walk Around

Another reason to consider canopy raising is that it creates a safe walking environment. Without all that undergrowth, people are likely to walk through that area instead of avoiding it. It's easier to walk in such an area without worrying about low-lying branches or limbs hitting you.

Prevents Property Damage and Body Injuries

Canopy raising helps eliminate low branches that would otherwise be sagging and creating a hazardous environment. Initially, you may tell yourself that more tree branches offer better shade, and they do. Nevertheless, these droopy branches can be problematic, especially during storms. By removing the weak and sagging branches, you mitigate a potentially hazardous situation that harsh storms can cause.

Aside from that, canopy raising encourages a tree to grow upwards. The new limbs that will develop will grow at higher heights away from buildings and people, reducing the risk of damage.

Gives Your Property a Neat Appearance

Low-hanging branches will block the view of a property, making it look smaller. Eliminating the lower branches allows you to open up the area, making it feel larger. This gives the whole area, including your property, a neater appearance. Thinned-out trees give a yard a clean-cut look, and the leaves appear elegant and lacy. This contributes to a well-manicured and appealing landscape.

Promotes Stronger Trees

Canopy raising also contributes to stronger trees. When you eliminate lower branches, you make the tree less susceptible to rot and diseases. As the trees grow, the upper limbs form foliage that absorbs sunlight and creates nutrients for the plant. Lower limbs aren't used as much, so they die off in the process. Removing these limbs allows the trees to focus on seed creation, leaf and flower production, and other important tasks.

For best results, call a tree pruning company for this service during the dormant season. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, trimming the tree when it's dormant is better because the tree will easily recover, which is vital for next year's flowers. That means the best time to do this is during winter. In addition, since most leaves have dropped, you get to see where to prune while maintaining the plant's structural integrity.

Improves Visibility

One of the reasons we cut down trees is that they obstruct our view from balconies or windows. Canopy raising eliminates the need to uproot the tree. Pruning tree limbs obstructing your view will encourage upward growth instead of destroying the whole tree. Additionally, canopy raising along driveways and roadways prevents the limbs from blocking views of curves, turns, and parking. In the long run, you eliminate the risk of car damage caused by errant tree limbs.

Increases Solar Access

Another reason to consider canopy raising is to increase solar access. In fact, most people prune trees for this reason. Our experts can significantly increase the amount of sun penetrating through the canopy while ensuring the tree is still structurally sound. The number of limbs the experts will prune will depend on the species on your property. Either way, removing lower limbs can help more sunlight reach your property.

Allows for Size Control

Large trees are amazing, but property owners sometimes need to control the size of the tree. A large diameter isn't always suitable. For instance, if a tree is too close to the house, you must constantly monitor it and prevent it from damaging your exterior walls. As tree experts, we suggest canopy raising by professionals to prevent horizontal expansion.

Does Canopy Raising Kill a Tree?

Proper canopy raising doesn't kill a tree. The goal is to encourage upward growth and improve your property's aesthetics. Unfortunately, if not done by professionals who know their way around tree trimming, you can kill a tree. Trimming too much can damage the tree or cause the upper part to be heavy. Younger trees can bow if the pruning isn't done well. You don't have to worry about canopy raising killing your trees as long an expert removes the limbs strategically.

Why You Should Let a Professional Do Canopy Raising for You

Canopy raising isn't just something you wake up one day and decide to do. It requires expertise and attention to detail. A tree pruning company has professional arborists that know what to do. The first thing they'll do is discuss your objectives with you. Is your goal to eliminate limbs causing issues around your property, or do you simply want to enhance the appearance of your trees?

Next up, both of you can decide where the lowest branch should be. Experts know that they can't cut off too much as that can give your trees an awkward look. We also don't recommend waiting for too long until the tree has matured. That's because it may necessitate removing many branches at once, leaving your tree looking too thin. Another reason to work with professionals is that we know which specific branches to cut off to stunt their growth.

Most property owners don't know that cutting too much foliage at once can cause suckers or water sprouts to form. Our experts inspect tree limbs before pruning them. They assess limbs that can be problematic down the line or limbs that can prevent other branches from growing properly. Most importantly, hire experts as they will know how to prune the limbs correctly to allow the tree to heal. An inexperienced person can end up costing you one or a few trees because of improper pruning.

As you can tell, canopy raising has many benefits. If you're looking for a tree pruning company to offer you this service, look no further than Eduardo's Tree Service. Consult with our experts today for professional assistance.