Miramar Tree Service does crown reduction and thinning for trees whose canopies have grown too big or too dense. In South Florida, a heavy thick canopy catches the wind like a sail in a hurricane, and that is exactly what takes a tree down or rips heavy limbs off onto a roof. We reduce and thin the crown so wind blows through it instead of against it.
Crown reduction is shortening the overall height and spread of the canopy. We cut the longest limbs back to lateral branches, reducing the size of the tree while keeping its natural shape. This is not topping. Topping, cutting straight across the top, sends up weak growth that breaks in wind. Reduction pruning cuts back to strong laterals so the tree grows back sound.
Thinning is taking out selected branches throughout the canopy to let air and light through. A dense canopy holds wind and rain, and the weight of wet leaves plus wind is what splits limbs. A thinned canopy lets the wind pass through, which takes the load off the trunk and the unions. That is the single best thing you can do for a big tree before hurricane season.
We also take out the deadwood as part of this work. Dead limbs hang in the canopy and drop without warning, onto roofs, cars, and screen enclosures. We remove those first, then do the reduction and thinning on the live wood. The result is a lighter, cleaner canopy that still gives shade but is not a storm hazard.
How much we take off depends on the tree and its condition. We never strip a tree, because over thinning starves it and weakens it. We take enough to reduce the sail and the weight, and no more. An honest reduction leaves the tree healthy and able to grow back strong. The rule is to never remove more than a quarter of the live canopy in one pass, and we hold to that.
The equipment we use depends on the tree. For trees we can reach, we climb with ropes and work the canopy from inside. For taller trees, we bring a bucket truck so we can get above the canopy and work down. Either way, every cut is intentional, made to a lateral branch, and the tree is left in better shape than we found it. We clean up and haul off everything we cut.
Thinning also lets light through to the understory, which matters if you have grass or shrubs under the tree that are struggling in the shade. A dense canopy shades out everything below it, and thinning it out lets enough light down for the lawn to recover. It is one of those side benefits that people do not always expect, but a thinned canopy is better for the tree and better for everything growing under it.
If you have a big tree with a heavy canopy over your house, call us or request a free quote before storm season. We come out, look at the canopy, and give you a written estimate at no charge and with no obligation.
What is included
- Free on-site estimate with no obligation
- Full cleanup and haul away of all brush and wood
- Guidance on protected trees and permits
- Travel included across our service area