A well pruned tree produces more than a neat appearance in the yard, it produces a healthy tree. It survives hurricanes better, is less susceptible to disease and lives longer with better health than the unchecked tree. Pruning not only determines the shape and form of a tree, but also affects its reactions to wind, as well as the amount of sunlight that reaches the lawn underneath.
Trees have some special challenges when living in Virginia Beach. The salt air flows in off the Atlantic, hurricane season for months, and the humid summers make it easy for disease to spread rapidly through neglected canopies. These trees require more than a little care. They require a pruning partner who is knowledgeable about their environment and knows their pruning job, not just guessing.
True Gen Tree Service provides just that kind of professional tree pruning in the Virginia Beach and surrounding Hampton Roads communities. The certified crew will work on a tree with a plan, technique and respect for the property on which they are operating. Whether you are a Virginia Beach homeowner who wants to learn more about the process or is simply considering hiring a tree service, here’s everything you should know about professional tree pruning.
Tree Pruning: What is it and why is it important?
Tree pruning involves cutting off certain branches from a tree for a specific reason. Unlike general trimming or cutting, each cut is based on a specific reason that is based on tree growth and healing. Arborists prune to do more than just to make the tree smaller or tidier; they do so because it is a better tree. Arborists prune not only for the purposes of making a tree smaller or tidier, but that it is a better tree.
Pruning begins by lopping off branches that are weak, dead and crossing. This is an opening up of the canopy and better circulation of air within the tree. Improved ventilation decreases the chances of fungal disease and pest infestation. Pruning also forces a tree to invest its energy into its healthiest growth, and over time, it becomes stronger.
The other way round is the result of bad pruning. Wounds caused by improper cuts are slow to heal and open up the door to decay, disease and long term structural weakness in the tree. That’s why practice is important in professional tree care. True Gen Tree Service prunes with knowledge and not guesswork and this difference is evident in the long term health of all the trees on which we work.
Why Virginia Beach Trees Need Regular Professional Pruning
Virginia Beach is in a very challenging coastal location, where significant stresses subject trees year round. In addition to the salt air and high humidity, summer heat and hurricane season all make it much easier for well pruned trees to deal with these challenges than those that have neglected care.
Coastal Wind Exposure Demands Smart Canopy Management
Because of the dense canopy, wind speeds are similar to that of the sails, causing a tremendous wind-blowing effect on the trunk and root system during periods of high wind. This wind load is particularly hazardous during the tidal storms and hurricanes that often affect the Hampton Roads area. Pruning helps to reduce the density of the vegetation in a strategic way, so that the wind can blow through the branches instead of hitting a solid wall. A well pruned tree will withstand major storms much better than a professional tree surgeon has attended to a tree that has never been.
Much of the pruning that we do is during the hurricane season preparation time. We can help homeowners in the Virginia Beach community lower their risk from storm damage long before the first big weather system will reach the coast this year.
Salt Air Stress Weakens a Tree’s Natural Defenses
Particles of salt carried in off the Atlantic drop on leaves and branches in coastal Virginia Beach neighborhoods. This salt exposure results in a leaf burn over time, and continuous stress on the tree’s health. Under stress, trees are much more susceptible to disease and infestation by pests than when they are not under stress. By pruning out already damaged growth, we hope to prevent the spread of damage to healthy areas of the canopy, holding these areas to a stronger tree despite continued exposure to the coast.
Humid Summers Create Ideal Conditions for Fungal Disease
Summers in Virginia Beach are hot, humid, and likely to be calm for long periods. These same conditions also can foster the rapid spread of fungal diseases. Pruning helps to allow air movement in the tree and minimizes accumulation of moisture that is required for the fungus to become established and spread. This is enough reason to consider regular, professional pruning of any tree in your yard.
Mature Trees Need Consistent, Knowledgeable Attention
Many of the properties in Virginia Beach have trees that are so large and old that they add immense value and beauty to the site. As these trees age and become older, they will also need more experienced pruning attention, as mature trees may need pruning more than younger trees. Deadwood can be generated in the canopy of an old tree naturally, and structural failures can arise in various ways sometimes not readily visible from the ground. By closely examining trees, True Gen Tree Service can detect these problems early and can help trees grow into a healthy, stable, and beautiful tree for years to come.
Types of Tree Pruning True Gen Tree Service Provides
While there are similarities between the different trees, there are also differences and different objectives require different pruning methods. True Gen Tree Service has all the pruning techniques available and we match the proper technique with your tree and your situation.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning involves the selective removal of parts of the tree’s canopy, so that only selected branches are removed. The method decreases the overall density without affecting the overall size and shape of the tree significantly. Thinning allows more light to reach lawn and garden beds below and lessens the wind resistance throughout the canopy. It is one of the most common services we offer for tree pruning in and around Virginia Beach.
Crown Raising
Crown raising is the cutting of lower branches to create more space under the tree canopy. This can be a requested service by homeowners to help them safely remove branches from rooftops, driveways and walkways. Crown raising also helps to enhance visibility and access around the tree base, making it particularly appealing near patios, parking spots, and outdoor living spaces.
Crown Reduction
It reduces a tree’s total height and/or canopy openness, making the tree smaller and more suitable for a limited space. True Gen Tree Service will slowly and carefully reduce the canopy of a tree, rather than take one big cut that will shock the tree. This controlled method not only will keep the tree healthy for years but also will create the size reduction desired by the homeowner.
Deadwooding
When you apply deadwooding, you’re focusing on all dead, dying or diseased limbs throughout the tree’s crown. Dead branches usually break and fall first during wind events and removing dead branches eliminates a real, immediate hazard to anything below. This service always combines with other pruning and routinely forms part of maintenance visits.
Fruit Tree Pruning
Pruning fruit trees requires particular emphasis on yield and fruit quality. Increased exposure to the light source enables better production and flavor development with time. True Gen Tree Service prunes fruit trees for this purpose, taking into account the overall long term health of the tree while balancing their fruit production.
The True Gen Tree Service Pruning Process
Our pruning procedures are carefully and consistently followed on all pruning jobs in Virginia Beach. This process will help to keep the property safe for the owner, safe for the crew, and provide the property with the desired results, rather than removing branches at random.
Step 1: We inspect your tree closely!
Prior to any decisions, our team reviews the species, age, and general condition of a tree. Experts conduct a thorough examination for disease, structural problems, and dead wood all throughout the canopy. This inspection is the basis for all aspects of the pruning plan that we create for your tree.
Step 2: We Create a Pruning Strategy
At the end of the inspection, we determine which branches to remove and explain why we believe this for each branch. Whether you are most concerned about tree health, storm resistance, or just enhancing the appearance of your tree, we have the solutions you’ll need. We tell you all this in plain, simple terms ahead of the cutting.
Step 3: We Make Precise, Careful Cuts
We ensure that we make all cuts at the correct time and place, and that we make them using the correct techniques, which will ensure that the tree remains healthy for many years to come.
Step 4: We do a thorough cleanup
Finally, after pruning is completed, we remove all branches, twigs and leaves from your property. By the time our crew is gone your yard should look neat and tidy. We do not regard a job done until the clean-up is of the same standard as the cutting itself.
Step 5: We Walk the Property with You
We go through the property with our equipment before we leave and see what we’ve accomplished firsthand. We take care of any leftover questions you may have on the care of the tree into the future and ensure you are completely satisfied with the result.
Why Virginia Beach Homeowners Choose True Gen Tree Service for Pruning
Every cut is done by Certified Professionals
All of the employees in our group have the necessary certifications to perform work at a professional level. Certified knowledge translates to safer, smarter and much more effective pruning decisions than untrained cutting can offer. True Gen Tree Service does not send out a crew that only knows the basics of how to run a chainsaw, but one that knows the tree and can appreciate its biology.
Full Insurance Covers Your Valuables
Every job we do is fully covered by our insurance provision. No financial means you are protected if anything untoward should occur in your property during our work. This coverage is a part of our service we do not compromise on.
Transparency of prices, no hidden fees
A clear and complete estimate is given prior to any pruning work. The initial quotations you receive are the actual amounts that you will pay at the completion of the job. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges on your bill.
On Time, Reliable Scheduling
Our team arrives on time as promised. We know you planned your day around our arrival and we take this seriously each and every day! When the schedule needs to be adjusted, we are clear and timely in communicating it to you.
Thorough Cleanup Every Time
No job is complete until we have cleaned up all the debris from your property. With our crew we take with us branches, twigs and leaf litter. Our customers regularly comment how their yard is better afterwards than before we came in.
Genuine Care for Every Tree and Property
You can expect our crew to treat each tree with respect, as well as each yard, every step of the way. Care is taken around other aspects that are important to you, such as landscaping, fences etc. Customers have told us we made the pruning process look easy and stress free from start to finish.
The Long Term Benefits of Consistent Tree Pruning
Regular tree pruning is an investment in your tree that will pay benefits over a number of years of regular application.
Stronger Storm Resistance
Trees that are well pruned are better able to withstand high winds than trees that are not well pruned. Thinner canopies allow wind to flow through the branches rather than blowing into a mass of leaves, thus dramatically decreasing the likelihood of breaking branches or toppling trees during significant storms.
Improved tree health and longevity
Pruning helps eliminate disease or decay before it can reach other healthy parts of the tree. Trees that are healthy will be better able to withstand pests and environmental stresses, and regular professional pruning can truly extend the productive, healthy life of a tree by several years.
Enhanced Property Value and Curb Appeal
Properly cared for trees can significantly improve the aesthetics and value of any property. Well shaped trees with good form are immediately evident to buyers and appraisers, and long term maintenance of this attractive and valuable investment is achieved by regular pruning.
Make your home and your guests feel more secure
Pruning takes away hazards before they can cause injury or damage to property. Dead branches, weak limbs and overgrown canopies are a dangerous hazard to any homeowner taking pleasure while enjoying the yard. Regular pruning means that your property will be safer for your family, your pets and for anyone who visits.
Better Sunlight for Lawns and Gardens
Trees with poor form that have grown overgrown can often shade the lawn and garden beds underneath them. Pruning increases the amount of light reaching the ground and allows for more light to reach the ground level, improving the growth of grass, flowers and garden plants, especially when light levels are meaningful.
How to Choose the Right Pruning Company in Virginia Beach
Not all companies providing pruning services provide a quality service, and homeowners can avoid a bad choice by considering a few things before hiring any company.
Ask For Proof of Insurance First: No tree work should be performed on your property without first making sure that the person doing it has Insurance. If there is an issue with the project, uninsured companies put homeowners at risk. All of our jobs are fully insured with True Gen Tree Service!
Request training and certification information: Make sure you know who will be doing the pruning job on your trees and inquire about their specific training and certification. Trained, certified professionals are much more knowledgeable in tree biology and proper technique than any untrained laborer. All of our employees are qualified and have the right credentials to perform this kind of work.
Steer clear of companies that recommend topping: Topping is an antiquated and truly harmful practice that can cause considerable harm to trees over time. If the company claims to be able to provide topping as a solution, they probably don’t have the necessary training to do quality tree work. Whether a homeowner requests a tree top or not, True Gen Tree Service will not top a tree.
Carefully Read Local Reviews: Real Virginia Beach customers have a lot to say about the real day to day quality of a company. Be particularly observant of regular feedback on communication, professionalism, and a good clean up. This type of consistent, reliable service has earned True Gen Tree Service a great reputation throughout Hampton Roads.
Conclusion
Beautiful, healthy trees are not a natural occurrence. They require regular, knowledgeable pruning by professionals who truly understand tree biology and the local needs of Virginia Beach’s coastal ecosystem. That’s the type of service homeowners in Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach can expect and rely on when hiring True Gen Tree Service LLC, and we are committed to providing them with that type of care at every service that we provide.
Each job we take on is done with the certified team’s commitment to protecting your trees and overall property investment. We are dedicated to providing the same level of meticulous, professional pruning to every neighborhood in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton and Portsmouth. Leaving trees unsupervised will lead to them becoming a liability rather than a benefit that they may have been for decades.
Avoid letting minor issues escalate to larger, higher-cost issues. Call True Gen Tree Service today for professional tree pruning and provide your trees with the care they deserve. That is a decision that will have a positive impact on your trees and property for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When pruning is completed, will your crew clean up afterwards?
Always. Before we leave your yard, we have removed all the branch piles, twigs and leaves. Working clean is always a part of our work.
Does True Gen Tree Service have liability insurance for all pruning services?
Yes, we are fully insured on all work we do. This insurance will cover you 100% from any liability issues that may arise while working.
On average, what is the tree pruning price?
The size, condition and location of your tree will affect the price. Our estimate will be given before beginning work and is free and honest. Call (757) 840-9608 or email mike@truegentreeservice.com to schedule yours today!
Have Fruit Tree Pruning?
Yes, we prune fruit trees to increase their productivity and health. Every fruit tree species we manage is considered individually, and our strategies are carefully designed for each tree species.
What happens if there is a hidden problem that your crew discovers when pruning?
We cease immediately and communicate the problem with you in a straightforward, straightforward manner. Nothing will be done without your informed and clear permission.
