Careful and sensitive pruning skills are needed to reduce the size of mature birch trees and to maintain their graceful appearance and form. The owner of this birch tree was concerned that their beautiful tree might be damaged or even blown over in a storm.

We assessed the tree carefully and advised that it was fully mature and in good health without any significant structural defects. The garden was quite exposed and there was some risk that limbs could be damaged or broken by severe winds. The tree was the focal point of the garden and naturally had a very graceful and well proportioned crown.

So, the decision was taken to sympathetically reduce the overall height and spread of the tree which would reduce the wind loading on the main limbs and the tree as a whole. This would significantly lessen the risk of wind damage over the coming years. Mature birch do not tolerate heavy handed pruning and are all too often ruined by amateur careless work.

Birch tree pruning - before
Birch tree pruning - after
This job was carried out by company owner, Ben Marsh with great skill and precision. All of the pruning cuts are made with a very sharp hand saw rather than a chainsaw which often works best for this kind of work. The pruning cuts are made at suitable growth points to maintain the natural flowing lines of the branch structure and to stimulate the tree to build callus growth around the pruning cuts, minimising the chance of decay or weakness developing.

The finished tree looks quite natural and balanced, as it should and our customer was very pleased with the end result. We will assess the tree again in 3 or 4 years time to see how it has responded and if any follow up work is needed.