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Crown Thinning and Raising in Folsom
Is the tree out front too thick, too dark underneath, or too low for the mower? Call (279) 256-3385. We'll send a nearby tree pro to take a look, and we'll set the date.
What the problem looks like
The crown is the leafy top of a tree. Over the years it can get crowded, droopy or just plain big.
Here's what people tell us.
- The street tree is brushing the roof or the garage.
- Low limbs block the sidewalk, the mailbox or a parked car.
- The yard is too shady for the lawn to grow.
- One big side of the tree is heavier than the other.
- The tree looks like a thick, dark ball in the wind.
The city's Master Tree List gives mature size and water needs for trees planted along streets. It's worth a look if you're picking a new tree. A young Chinese pistache, the Sacramento Tree Foundation points out, grows tall and skinny first. The wide, umbrella shape comes later.
Two different jobs
People mix up thinning and raising. They're not the same.
Thinning takes out some live branches so light and air can get through. Folsom's standards describe it as selective removal of live branches, and it also lightens the weight on the branches that stay. A thinned tree still looks like itself, just less crowded.
Raising lifts the low branches. The city calls it selective pruning for vertical clearance, also known as lifting. It's for the tree that hits the mower, the truck or your head.
The pro may also suggest a bit of cleaning, which is removing dead and broken wood. Good pros do that along with the other cuts.
How much is too much?
This is the big question, and different groups give different numbers.
| Who | The rule of thumb |
|---|---|
| ISA tree guide | Up to one fourth of the crown per round, less for old trees |
| UC IPM | No more than about 20% of the canopy in one year |
| City of Folsom | Over 10% of a protected tree's canopy needs a permit |
See the pattern? Smaller is safer. Take a little this year and a little in a few years. That's better than one big haircut.
The city does say young trees can take more. Sometimes that means 25% or more, because the goal is to build a strong frame. A mature tree is different. The city prefers many small cuts to one large one.
Thinning also isn't a cure-all. The ISA says routine thinning doesn't necessarily improve a tree's health. Leaves make the tree's food. So a pro shouldn't thin just to thin.
And watch out for lion's-tailing. That's when the inside and lower branches get stripped, leaving tufts at the ends. Folsom bans it on protected trees. It's bad for any tree.
Street trees and yard trees
Many Folsom trees stand close to the sidewalk. The city defines a street tree by where it grows, and says street trees can be privately owned or publicly owned. It also counts street trees in its "regulated" group. Regulated trees are in the protected tree group.
That means a big cut on a street tree might need a city permit. Call the city arborist before you make the first cut. If the work needs a permit, the city requires an ISA certified arborist to do or oversee it.
About 68% of occupied homes in Folsom are owner-occupied, so most of these trees belong to someone living next to them. That's good. Folks who watch a tree for years notice small problems early.
When to do it
For most trees the city points to winter and spring. Insects are less active in winter, and wounds close fastest in spring.
Avoid heavy pruning just after the spring growth spurt, says the ISA. The Sacramento Tree Foundation says that the new growth after a summer cut needs more water. UC adds that older trees can be sunburned when pruning suddenly exposes bark, and that it helps to keep some lower branches to shade the trunk.
Elms get their own rule. UC's advice for elms: no pruning between March and September.
One more tip for the day of the job. The ISA says cuts should be made just outside the branch collar. Ask the pro to show you where that is on your tree. It only takes a moment.
What it costs
Crown work is priced by the size of the tree, mostly. These are ranges from published guides.
| Tree height | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 10 to 20 feet | $75 to $300 |
| 20 to 30 feet | $150 to $450 |
| 30 to 50 feet | $150 to $800 |
| 50 to 100 feet | $300 to $1,800 |
Source: Fixr tree trimming guide. Hourly work: Homeyou lists $86 to $148 an hour, and Thumbtack lists $60 to $80.
Chipping the branches into mulch can add $50 to $100, according to Thumbtack. Ask whether the price includes cleanup and hauling.
Expect to hear the number once the pro has seen the tree. No quote, no work.
Why call us
You tell us what's wrong with the tree. We find a local pro, set up the visit, and can help you get a second quote. You don't have to sort through ads or voicemail boxes.
How it goes
- Call (279) 256-3385 or fill out the short form.
- Tell us the tree, the street and what's in the way.
- We line up a nearby pro and a day.
- The pro checks the tree and gives a price.
- You decide.
Thinning and raising questions
Does thinning make a tree healthier?
Not on its own. It helps with weight, light and air, but leaves feed the tree. Dead and cracked wood is the better target.
Can I raise the crown a lot at once?
Better not. Keep the total small, and leave some low branches on young trees to shade the trunk.
Who trims the tree by the sidewalk?
That depends on who owns it. The city says street trees can be private or public, so check before you cut.
Related: oak tree pruning, pruning by month, and the Folsom home page.