Tree Care

Tree Care

See the Urban Tree Care Services below:

Crown Reduction:
The ends of all branches are reduced, in length, back to suitable ‘growth

points’ (side branches). As a result the entire tree crown is reduced, in

size and volume, whilst retaining the natural shape of the species. This

procedure is usually stipulated in terms of a percentage rarely more than

25%.

   
Crown Thinning:
Branches are removed from within the tree crown in order to make it

uniformly less dense. The natural shape of the tree is completely unaffected

but the wind resistance is reduced and more light allowed to filter through.

This procedure is usually stipulated in terms of a percentage, rarely more

than 30%. This is a very effective way prohibiting a tree from falling

,especially in unpredictable weather conditions

Crown Lifting:
Increasing the gap between ground level and the crown. This is normally

achieved by removing the lowest branches of the crown, to a specified

height.
Tree Felling:
Causing a tree to fall under control by carefully making a series of cuts at

the base of the trunk.
 

Sectional Felling:
Carefully dismantling a tree in small sections. This operation is usually

undertaken by making use of pulley and rope techniques as well as the

structure of the tree itself for skilled branch removal.
Dead Wooding:
The removal of dead or dying branches usually for safety and aesthetics.

Larger dead branches can be safely retained (in order to provide habitat for

birds and insects) by reducing their length and weight.
 

Hedge Cutting:
Hedges of any size can be topped and trimmed to your specific dimensions.
 

Formative Pruning:
The formation of a healthy stem and branch framework in very young trees.

Achieved by carefully selecting and removing diseased wood, congested and

rubbing branches and weak branch unions. Correct formative pruning can

dramatically reduce the chances of disease, structural weakness and branch

failure as the tree matures.

Stump Removal:
Either by ‘grubbing out’ by hand (if the stump is small enough), employing a

stump grinding machine (if the stump is large) or poisoning the stump and

allowing it to slowly decay over time. All pruning cuts comply to modern

arboricultural principles which limit, as much as possible, the impact of

tree surgery on tree health
 

Veteran Tree Management:
Veteran trees are ancient specimens in the final stage of their life.

Because of their old age they provide us with significant biological,

aesthetic and cultural interest. The vitality of veteran trees is normally

slowing and they are frequently in a dangerous condition. As a result the

temptation is often to remove them.

However, with careful planning and ongoing management UTC can help you

safely preserve your old trees in an attractive state. One of the most

recent developments in veteran tree management, that we try and employ at

UCT where possible, is the use of Natural Fracture Techniques (NFT ).

NFT’s are pruning cuts that mimic the jagged edges character esthetically

seen on broken branches following storm damage. As well as looking more

natural than conventional pruning cuts they provide wonderful habitat for a

myriad of fungi, insects and birds whilst removing any structural weakness.