Tree Pruning & Tree Trimming
in Pinellas County

Most trees, if your doing it correctly only need to be trimmed every three years.  Of course this does depend on the species and age which is directly related to how fast it grows.  Young trees grow faster than older trees and certain species grow faster than others.  One rule of thumb to determine if a species grows fast is how long it lives.  Typically, large species trees that have short life spans grow fast.  For example, Laurel oaks live 50-75 years on average according to most trusted sources and Live oaks may live for 200-300 years.

Spring or late fall or winter.  The German pruning standards, which is recognized by much of the world as the authority, claims the best time is spring.  The North American pruning standards claim the best time is when the tree is dormant.  In Florida, I think the best time is likely depend on the age of tree, species and vigor.  Old stressed trees are likely best pruned when dormant.  Young trees a probably best pruned in the spring but really any time is likely fine.  Many people wait until just before hurricane season.  I would love to see people do their pruning earlier in the season and do tree removals in the winter.

There isn’t really a difference.  Although pruning is a word typically used by more professional companies and I would argue that tree pruning is done with purpose, whereas tree trimming is often done with no plan.

Yes.  When Pruning is done correctly using reduction cuts, it reduces wind-load and helps prevent failures.  In fact, there are many published resources siting university research which proves that reduction pruning often used on individual limbs or on entire crowns (crown reduction) not only does reduce the chances of tree and limb failure but can be calculated using mathematical formulas.  

When strong winds hit a tree, the lever arm created by long limbs increases the load at the attachment point and down to the roots.  By shortening the length of a limb or branch using reduction cuts (usually no bigger than 3″) we can reduce the leverage and the bending moment that wind can apply.  Less leverage translates to less force, which means less chance of failure.  

Shorter branches =- less force = safer tree

Many companies and people seem to think that simply thinning the inside growth (often incorrectly called suckers) makes a tree safer but this is quite the opposite as it increases branch elongation, reduces taper, results in more density in the ends of branches and often creates wounds along tops of branches were you have more of the flexible woody fibers called cellulose.  Reducing length and density (properly) is what reduces the risk of failure.

Yes. Pruning is a controlled injury to a living tree. It is very similar to surgery on the human body. We perform surgery because what it fixes is more harmful to long-term health than the injury caused by the surgery itself. The same idea applies to trees. Pruning has pros and cons. The benefits must outweigh the cost of removing living tissue. If there is no clear benefit, then pruning may not be the right choice.  Every pruning cut changes how a tree grows and how it will respond in the next storm.

Trees cannot “heal” the way human skin heals.  A tree walls off the injury internally and externally instead of closing it with new tissue.  This is more like scar tissue.  This wood (dead tissue) will never be alive again.  The quality of a pruning cut determines how well a tree can contain the injury.  Bad cuts and unnecessary cuts create larger wounds that are harder to contain.  Good cuts reduce risk, build strong structure and extend the useful life of the tree.  If pruning is not helping the tree stay safer or healthier, it should not be done.

Proper pruning is done to protect and preserve a tree so it can be safer and live longer. Most casual tree trimming does the opposite. It creates unnecessary injuries, weakens structure and increases risk while reducing longevity.

It can be difficult for someone who is not trained in arboriculture to know if they hired the right company. Below are some simple things to look for and specific questions you can ask that will help you choose a company with good ethics, training and long-term focus on trees.

What to look for and questions to ask:

1. Training and credentials

• Do they have ISA Certified Arborists on staff and involved in the work?
• What training do the people performing the work actually have?
• Ask for copies of certifications, not just a claim.
• Remember, credentials show knowledge. Integrity and ethics are a separate responsibility.

2. Visible (obvious if you really look) safety practices

• Do they wear eye protection, helmets, boots, and ideally chainsaw pants?
• Look at photos of their work or watch them on site.
• If you do not see these basic safety practices, you probably do not have the right company.

3. Professional presentation

• Does their equipment look clean and presentable?
• Do the employees look professional and wear consistent uniforms?

4. Employee culture and attitude

• Do the employees look happy, confident, and appreciated?
• Happy employees move with purpose, communicate clearly and show more passion.
• Employees who are receiving frequent education and training usually act like they care.
• Ask about their boss or the arborist you met with?  If they talk poorly of the people in charge this could be a bad sign.

5. Communication and honesty

• Do they look you in the eye when they speak, with no sunglasses hiding their eyes?
• When you ask why a branch is being cut, do all team members give the same answer?
  That consistency shows they are being trained with purpose and following a philosophy.

6. Company structure and education

• Does the company have a written employee handbook? Ask to see it.
• Does the company have a safety program specific to tree work? Ask to see it.
• Do employees receive ongoing arboriculture and safety training?
  Ask for proof of completion or training schedules.

7. Reputation and transparency

• Do they have good reviews over a long period of time?
• Ask for an address of a current job site and go observe how they work.
• See how they interact with neighbors, how they set up safety zones and how they clean up.

8. Outside references

• Call your local city arborist and ask if they would hire that company to protect their own home.
  That question is powerful. It shows what professionals trust.
• Look for membership in TCIA and ISA as a sign of industry involvement and standards.

Learn just enough to test their ethics

You do not have to be an arborist to judge integrity. Learn a little about trees (our videos can help) and ask real questions. If someone will lie to your face, what do you think happens when you are not standing there?

Ask “Why are you making this cut” and see if the answer is about:

• safety,
• structure,
• long-term success of the tree

And not:

• “because it looks better”
•  “because the customer asked.”

A real tree professional will explain the purpose, not follow orders blindly.

A simple test

Ask “Can you remove this 12” diameter branch?”(This is not good for any tree) If the only answer you get is “yes,” with no questions about why you want it removed and no discussion of the pros and cons, you do not have a tree professional.  A real arborist will make sure that you feel the benefits will outweigh the damage before removing live tissue/wood.  Imagine a doctor or surgeon who just said, “yes” when you asked him or her to cut off your arm or remove your kidney, with no questions, no diagnosis, no risks explained and no alternatives considered.  You would walk away from that surgeon, likely with disgust or anger.  The same logic applies to trees. 

Final thought

These are just a few simple ways to see if you have the right company on your property. There are more, and we are happy to provide guidance if you want to go deeper. Choosing the right team can make your tree safer today and healthier for decades.