Thinning the crown is a pruning technique we use to selectively reduce the quantity of branches, twigs, and, subsequently the leaves or evergreen needles in a tree’s canopy.
In this image below that is not the top of a tree, but a single horizontal branch of a very large tree. This branch is about 30′ out from the trunk. By thinning the ends it reduces the chance of failure.
This procedure allows the wind to flow through and sunlight to penetrate the canopy. It is also helpful for minimizing the accumulation of snow in the tree’s canopy, making the tree less likely to suffer structural damage caused by severe snow storms.
When thinning the canopy the overall structure, integrity, and, form of the tree is taken into consideration. Selective pruning of overcrowded branches may help to transform an unruly tree into a strong beautiful tree today and in the years to come.