Crown reduction is a controlled, proportional shortening of a tree's canopy, both height and spread, to bring it back into balance with its surroundings, without removing the tree.
What it is not
It is not topping. Topping cuts the canopy to an arbitrary height with no regard for growth points; the tree responds with weak, congested regrowth and long-term decay. A reduction always cuts back to a viable lateral branch, so growth continues naturally.
The four main types
- Total reduction, the whole canopy in proportion.
- Lateral (width) reduction, side branches only.
- Vertical (height) reduction, leaders cut to lower laterals.
- Selective reduction, specific problem limbs.
All four are carried out by experienced climbing arborists working to industry-standard practice.
Book a free site visit and we'll tell you which is right for your tree.