PRUNING CLASSIFICATIONS

Tree trimming is divided into four different classes. These well-defined classes set up by the International Society of Agriculture (ISA) go a long way toward making it possible to compare bids wisely. They have also developed a certification process for tree workers. I suggest that you make sure your trees are done according to ISA standards and that you know which class of pruning you will get. Price is not the only factor to consider. Less is not always better.
There are four classes of pruning and can be categorized as light, medium, or heavy. Class one is the best class because it reduces the need for pruning in the future, does the most to improve the health of the tree, and enhances the tree’s beauty the most. It requires more money at the time but reduces the cost of tree maintenance over the long run. However, I do not always recommend class one. I like it best for older, long-life trees that have been well cared for over a long period of time.

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• Class One is when we do our most complete pruning, we do all those things and more. We prune to make trees better able to live next to each other by removing branches that damage each other and by leaving limbs that defend uninvited space. I call this "compatibility pruning". At times, we prune all the way to the growing tips of each limb selecting out small growth that is not growing desirably. This reduces the need for future pruning. We also prune so as to make a tree better able to fill space with well-placed branches by removing obstructing limbs that force an otherwise good limb to grow poorly. We prune around structures in such a way as to reduce the need for future pruning by removing as much as can be done without compromising the tree’s health and beauty. We leave nothing undone. This is our "Class One" pruning.

• Class Two pruning involves removing dead limbs of one inch or larger in diameter, pruning to clear around structures, sidewalks, driveways, streets, and wires. This class is a good class of care for the trees and costs less. It does not reduce the need for pruning in the future as much as class one does, but it does a lot to reduce future pruning needs. I recommend this class most often. It helps the tree greatly. We include things often left undone like removing stubs that are not healing, leaving a heal-able wound in it's place, selective pruning to provide growing space for limbs that are being forced to grow undesirably by other limbs, inspecting cavities, and pruning for desirable growth pattern in the long term.

• Class Three pruning requires the removal of dead limbs of one to two inches in diameter and larger, plus the pruning for clearance around structures, wires, decks, etc. It is the least expensive class of pruning and does help the trees though less than the other two classes.

• Class Four of pruning is custom pruning. You can have whatever you would like done. I will help you to determine what to do if you like. WE WILL NOT TOP TREES!!

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