Tree Pruning

There are many reasons to prune trees. They may be damaged by storms, grow big enough to bump into buildings, grow in a twisted or haphazard way, or get tall enough to interfere with power lines. Some species of trees also need to be deliberately shaped in order to look their best. In all of these cases, pruning is an important part of tree care.
                        
When a big storm happens, branches are often broken off in random places. Then, tree pruning is done to cut the branches back to where it is the least damaging to the tree. Even though this involves removing material, it is healthier for the tree because it removes jagged, disease-prone edges and eliminates branch "stumps" that would otherwise die back slowly.
                        
Trees that have become too wide or tall are best pruned by a private trimming service. Wide ones can damage structures, either by being blown into them by storms or by slowly rubbing paint and other finishes away. Overly-tall ones will be pruned by power companies every so often, but these mass-prunings usually amount to arboreal butchery. By hiring a pro in advance, you ensure that the needed clearance is maintained in a way that leaves the tree healthy and nice-looking.
                        
Finally, tree care often involves pruning out growth that is simply not optimal for the tree. Some species produce an abundance of spindly or twisted twigs or have twigs that grow toward the center of the canopy instead of out toward the sun. These interfere with the growth of the other branches and take up energy that could go to those stronger parts. In this case, regular tree pruning is needed to get rid of the unwanted twigs and strengthen the plant.