Page 53 Agenda Item 7

Appendix

Tree and Woodland Strategy for Council Owned Trees

2009-2014
Type of Tree Pruning

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning is the removal of secondary and small live branches

throughout the canopy to a specified percentage of the overall crown density;
under normal circumstances and in accordance to British Standards 3998 this
should not exceed15%.

Crown thinning should produce uniform density of foliage around and evenly
spaced branch structure throughout the canopy.

This selective branch (or part of) removal should increase light penetration
and air movement within the crown. Thus maintaining interior foliage and
improving branch taper and strength.

Crown thinning includes the ends of branches. Stripping or lion tailing should
be avoided at all costs this causes end loading of branches making them
vulnerable to snapping in adverse weather.

All deadwood, foreign bodies e.g. ropes, branches overhanging properties,

lamps, road signs, phone wires, etc should be removed. Crossing, rubbing,
weak, damaged or duplicated branches must be removed as long as this will
not spoil the overall shape of the tree.

Where thinning involves the removal of branches from over property the
branch should be reduced by a minimum of 1m to a suitable lateral branch
wherever possible.

Crown Cleaning

Cleaning means the removal of:

• Dead, dying, diseased, weak, and broken branches

• Branches, which are rubbing or considered to be of low vigour or
epicormic shoots
• Unbalanced branches
• Foreign material such as wire, ropes, nails, polythene, notice boards,
tree houses etc., where these are not an integral part of the tree and
where the tree will not be damaged or weakened by their removal.
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Crown lifting
The object of this operation is to increase the distance between the ground
and the lowest branch to allow the safe passage of pedestrians, vehicles, and
to clear property, also to provide more light or enhance a view.

Crown lifting shall be measured to the lowest point of any branch or shoot and
not the main stem. On strongly downward sloping branches, the branch tip
should be reduced to a secondary shoot or branch rather than removing the
entire branch. All lower branches shall be removed from the main stem or
branch system to a specified height or line as indicated below:
Crown Lift over Crown Lift over
Pedestrian Area Highway
2.5m 5m

The selection of branches or secondary branches shall be undertaken in a

manner that shall maintain a well-balanced canopy. Account shall be taken of
the slope of the ground under the tree order to maintain the balance. Where
trees are of a weeping nature the canopies of the tree should be raised to a
minimum of 2.5m to clear the pavement or obstacle.

Crown reduction
Crown reduction is used to reduce the size of the whole canopy whilst
maintaining the natural shape of the tree wherever possible. The end of the
branches to be removed should be taken to a suitable lateral secondary
branch or the main stem.

Crown reduction will be expressed as a percentage. The percentage refers to

the size of crown height from the lowest branch to its apex.

At all times the natural flowing outline of the tree must be observed to ensure
that upon completion the tree has a natural and balanced appearance with a
flowing silhouette of minor branches.

The remaining branches must not have rips or hinges at the cut end which
should be angled no greater than is necessary to ensure a rapid run-off of
water. The style of the reduction should be suitable for the species and
encourage the natural growth habit of the tree.
 Page 55 Agenda Item 7

SELECTIVE CROWN REDUCTION

Reduction of selective branches for the following reasons:

• The re-balancing of an upper canopy which has a bias to one side or

another
• To minimise the overhang to properties or
• To alleviate end loading on heavier branch structure. This would be
achieved by the reduction of a percentage of the lateral branches or a
specified branch in the upper canopy.

POLLARDING
An older method of tree pruning where on a regular cycle, all the previous
years growth is removed, usually back to the main trunk. The tree then
produces another flush of slender new shoots and branches. This technique is
sometimes seen in private gardens and occasionally on street trees. It is only
successful on a limited range of species.

Formative Pruning

The Purpose of formative pruning is to help the young tree develop into a
strong and well-shaped tree that is true to its natural form. The shape of the
tree can be improved by pruning to ensure a good branch structure.

Removal of basal growth

Some species of tree such as Limes are prone to sprouting new shoots and
leafy growth from the base of the trunk. If the tree is on a footpath or near a
driveway this sort of growth can become a problem. Regular removal of the
new growth, back to the trunk, keeps the problem under control. Usually the
work is carried out each summer.
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