Dedicated to Tree Preservation in the Urban Forest

Talking to arborists can be  confusing.  There are no set guidelines within the industry.  This can lead to misunderstandings between the customer and the arborist about the scope of work.  It can also lead to drastic differences between costs.  To help in the confusion the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) has attempted to standardize the terminology.  Below is a summation of terms taken from the Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance- Standard Practices ANSI A300-1995:

1)  Crown cleaning:  The selective removal of one or more of the following items: dead, dying, diseased, weak branches and watersprouts from a tree’s crown;

2)  Crown thinning:  The selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement, and reduce weight;

3)  Crown raising:  The removal of lower branches of a tree in order to provide clearance;

4)  Crown reduction (shaping):  Reducing the height and/or spread of a tree.  Caution should be given to the ability of a species to sustain this type of pruning;

5)  Vista pruning:  The selective thinning of framework limbs of specific areas of the crown to allow a specific view of an object from a predetermined point;

6)  Crown restoration:  Restoration pruning should improve the structure, form, and appearance of trees that have been severely headed, vandalized, or storm damage.

With in this frame work there is room for greater attention to detail.  More or less thinning , deadwooding and general pruning can be reflected in costs.