Takoma Tree Experts, Inc.can prune your trees to keep them healthy, invigorated and beautiful. Selective pruning of a tree is a highly skilled endeavor, and must be performed by only the most experienced and highly trained personell.

After all if the wrong limb is cut off, or the tree is unbalanced in the pruning process, very little can be done to correct it, or improve the appearance.

That is why it's called tree surgery- implying a certain level of expertise, knowledge and applied skills-and much like surgery, a botched job is well... not pretty.

We "thin" trees out-selectively remove watershoots, also known as suckers, which if left can suck up vital nutrients meant for structural limbs. Suckers shoot up along the trunk area and along the base parts of limbs. When pruning, prominent deadwood is removed to reduce the hazard of falling limbs, and also to reduce the chance of rot and decay-enemies of tree's, but very attractive to wood boring insects. If trees are not maintained properly, a hazardous condition can go unnoticed or develop. Trees should be periodically pruned and inspected by a qualified climber, who can advise you of any conditions he observes.

If limbs grow to close to or over your house, or you need more ground clearance, we can elevate the tree-that is remove lower limbs, or parts of limbs, and/or underprune limbs to provide clearance over and around structures, antennas plants, etc.

Interfering, crisscross, or rubbing limbs are routinely removed or cut back during a maintenance pruning, and help to open up or thin the tree to allow light to enter into the interior, which helps in food production. Another strong advantage of proper pruning is that strong, damaging gusts of wind will pass throught the tree easier, instead of getting caught up in the tree, and breaking up limbs.

The National Arborist association currently identifies 4 general categories of pruning-Class 1 through Class 4. Because of space limitations, (and because we don't want to bore you to death), we won't go into a description of each category here. Suffice it to say that most pruning is Class 2, and includes most of what is described here.

As far as topping goes, (or butchering as some of us delicately call it), most liscenced arborists don't do it. Its an antiquated and destructive practice and can severely injure the tree. If an estimator recommends topping throw him off your property.

Call Takoma Tree Experts, Inc. today for a thorough and complete analysis of your trees-there is no charge or obligation. When you sign up to have the work done, our skilled and corteous crews, will turn your trees into living masterpieces of art-you will know you made the right decision.