Tree Pruning

• Tree trimming to remove dead wood
• Removing branches from roofs 
• Pruning to remove branches or limbs away from house, pool or other area
• Reducing the canopy to remove overgrown branches
• Structural pruning to restore the shape of a tree
• Reducing the length of tree branches or limbs to prevent failure
• Thinning out overgrown trees
• Aesthetic pruning for feature trees
• Trim branches to stop animals
• Hedge and shrub trimming

Whether you’re interested in making your feature tree look beautiful after a backyard reno or worried about branches on your roof or concerned about your trees – get in touch! We’d be happy to consult on your issue to see if we can be of service.

Depending on the age and species of a tree, the amount that is trimmed will vary between 10-20%. Very old or mature trees should only have 5-10% of the living canopy removed. Very young trees can have up to 25% removed at maximum. Dead branches do not count towards these maximums.

Pruning or trimming more than this amount in a year can result in tree health problems in the future. Pruning the maximum year over year is also likely to result in issues. This is because you can think of pruning not only as what is removed from a tree, but also where we choose to put rot and defects.

Trees do not heal from cuts, they seal them over using a complex chemical and biological process similar to getting a scab. The bigger the wound, the harder it is for the tree to cover over and contain. Since trees cannot heal, any fungus, bacteria or virus introduced into the wound before it is sealed can enter the rest of the healthy tree.

When pruning trees, every cut should be considered not only for what is taken away but also what introducing rot could do to the tree. Proper pruning cuts made by trained arborists will help seal wounds far better than improper cuts by DIY tree pruning or people without training.

All trees are different and there are many different reasons to prune or trim a tree! Most tree pruning can be done at any time of the year but there are a few exceptions. 

Oak trees should only be pruned when trees are dormant in the winter due to the threat of oak wilt. 

Honey Locust should be trimmed after leaves are on trees as it is very challenging to distinguish between live and dead wood on Honey Locust in winter.

Elm trees are also better trimmed in winter due to Dutch Elm disease.

Ash trees that are still alive should be receiving treatment for EAB prior to pruning. 

There are many more exceptions to the rule, so contact us to get more information about when to trim trees.

Find information on cedar trimming here and other hedge trimming or hedge repair services.

Different trees grow at different rates, and they have different site conditions. A fast-growing species in a small area with great sunlight and water will need to be trimmed more frequently than a mature tree in any environment. There are also lots of different types of trimming s there is no one right answer.

When trees have dead branches removed but nothing living, this is called "dead-wooding". Arborists remove deadwood either 3'', 2'' or 1'' inch diameter and above. Dead branches can be removed as frequently as you desire because it does not harm the tree. This type of tree trimming shouldn't have to happen more than once every 2-5 years, unless there is something wrong with the health of the tree.

To keep trees from spreading too far or becoming too tall, they may need to be pruned more regularly, like every 1-3 years. Older or mature trees shouldn't be pruned more frequently than 3-5 years as they are much slower to recover from trimming.

We have a price guide for the cost of tree care in Toronto. It doesn't have a full list for tree pruning yet but we're working on it!

The cost of tree or shrub trimming depends on a lot of factors, such as the size of the tree, the amount being removed and how hard to access it is, danger and how fast the service is done are also factors. 

Professional tree companies with trained arborists on staff and full insurance will be much more expensive than a handyman or one guy with a chainsaw. Commercial general liability insurance and WSIB protects you, the owner, from any damage done by contractors. If you hire someone without it and they damage your property, you'll be on the hook for repairs. Even worse, if they get hurt you could end up being sued by them. 

The most important factor to consider is what it might cost you if the job is done wrong. When someone shows up without insurance to sell you professional services, this is a red flag. Untrained and unskilled tree cutters don't know how to keep your tree healthy or trim it safely. Cutting off nuisance branches might seem like an easy task, but when it is done incorrectly it can result in damage to the tree that will cost you more in the long run.

Our certified arborists have trained for many years to spend only a few hours or days on your property. Read more about the differences between landscapers and arborists here, or check out our qualifications and experience here.

Every homeowner in Toronto has a responsibility to ensure that trees are maintained and safe to prevent injury or damage to property. This means that trees should be inspected regularly, with tree reports provided by a trained arborist.

Unfortunately trees can suffer from a range of diseases, pests and stresses that can impact their health and vitality over time. Often what can look like a healthy tree can actually be a safety hazard, while sometimes trees that look ugly may be in fine health. We can assess for hazards and aesthetics, to improve both the look and health of your trees.

Whatever the concern, speaking to a professional to develop a plan of action is the best way to avoid the unexpected. Vista Tree is interested in building good long-term relationships with our clients based on our integrity and hard work. We don’t prescribe services that we don’t think are necessary or try to upsell to more work.