Written by Jacob Holmstead, Certified Arborist

different types of pruning

Both angiosperm and gymnosperm trees have been pruning themselves long before humans intervened. Over millennia, evolution has shaped trees to adapt to changing environments, enhancing tree species’ relative “fitness.” Trees naturally prune broken, declining, or damaged limbs by reallocating energy to healthier parts, allowing weakened branches to die and shed naturally. Many angiosperms activate dormant buds along a damaged limb, producing new shoots in a final effort to recover lost canopy—a remarkable survival strategy.

Deadwood production is a natural pruning process. Depending on the species, location, and environment, trees shed tops or lower branches and continue to thrive for centuries, as seen with Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Coastal Redwoods can rise 50 to 100 feet above the forest canopy, exposing upper branches to high winds and storm loads. It is not uncommon for old, mature Redwoods to lose or shed a dominant leader, yet Coastal Redwoods endure.

Human involvement in tree care is relatively recent compared to the long evolutionary history of trees. While trees are self-sufficient, human reliance on trees for survival is essential. Trees provide food, shade, shelter, and raw materials for tools, construction, and comfort. Contrary to popular belief, humans are not the sole drivers of plant and tree cultivation. Michael Pollen’s Botany of Desire explores how plants and trees may influence human behavior and desire as much as human actions influence them.

Although trees can survive without human intervention, modern urbanization has increased the need for pruning. Trees now coexist with buildings, streets, and infrastructure. Pruning ensures line-of-sight visibility for traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, and large deadwood from Douglas Firs must be removed from high-traffic public areas. Pruning also maintains tree health, safety, and aesthetics.

Modern arborists apply several pruning systems, each with a specific purpose. The following industry standards are guided by the ANSI A300 (American National Standards Institute) pruning guidelines:

• Natural Pruning – Retains and promotes the natural characteristics of the tree species. The natural pruning system is the most common system used by commercial tree companies.
• Pollarding – Controls tree size and shape by removing most or all sprouting limbs annually or biennially.
• Topiary – Shapes shrubs, vines, and some trees into decorative forms, typically used for ornamental landscapes.
• Espalier – Trains trees to grow in a flat, two-dimensional plane, often on south-facing walls to maximize sunlight exposure for fruit production.
• Pleaching – Interweaves and fuses branches to create “green walls” or arching tunnels, often used for decorative landscapes.
• Fruit Production – Shapes fruit trees to encourage maximum fruit yield and healthier fruit production.

Pruning objectives vary depending on site conditions, tree species, and surrounding elements. The following are key pruning goals:

• Improving Tree Structure – Shapes branch and trunk architecture to suit the site and prevent conflicts with buildings, power lines, sidewalks, and streets.
• Risk Mitigation Pruning – Reduces the likelihood of branch or tree failure, especially in areas with heavy foot or vehicular traffic.
• Provide Clearance – Creates space between trees and buildings, power lines, or pathways to reduce interference.
• Maintain Health – Removes dead, diseased, or damaged limbs, improving air circulation and sunlight exposure to reduce disease risk.
• Reduce Density – Thins tree crowns to improve airflow and light penetration, which also supports interior foliage development.
• Restoring Tree Form – Restores the natural architecture of a tree after vandalism, improper pruning, or storm damage.
• Size Management – Reduces the overall size of a tree while maintaining the natural form and shape of the tree.
• Flower/Fruit Production – Encourages flowering and fruiting using strategic pruning cuts to maximize yield.
• Improve a View – Prunes trees to open sightlines for scenic views, though “topping” trees for this purpose is often prohibited by municipalities.
• Supporting Wildlife Habitat – Maintains deadwood and snags to provide shelter and nesting opportunities for birds and wildlife.

For expert tree pruning services, Samsara Tree Care offers professional guidance and free estimates. Call Samsara Tree Care at 503-406-8046 to schedule a consultation. Certified arborists ensure trees remain healthy, beautiful, and safe for years to come.