Tree Trimming & Pruning in Reno, NV

Tree trimming and pruning in Reno is mostly about weight. A limb that reaches far out over a roof with all its foliage at the tip acts like a lever in the afternoon Washoe Zephyr and in winter wind events like the December 2014 storm that hit 71 mph at the airport. Good pruning takes out the dead wood, shortens the heaviest ends and removes branches that cross or rub, so the tree carries less load where it matters. It also keeps branches off the roof, away from the service line and high enough over driveways and sidewalks.

Pruning versus topping

Topping, which means cutting a tree's main stems back to stubs, is not accepted practice. The City of Reno does not allow it on city trees and warns that it weakens regrowth, often kills the tree and usually leads to paying for removal later. When a tree is simply too big for its space, the alternatives are reduction pruning, sometimes called drop-crotching, which shortens a stem back to a smaller branch that can take over, or removal and replanting with a tree that fits.

What we prune for

• Deadwood. Dead limbs are the first to break in wind. Removing them is the simplest safety work there is.
• Clearance. Branches over the roof, against siding, low over the driveway or near the service line.
• Structure. On young trees, choosing one main leader and removing competing stems so the tree does not grow into a weak V-shaped fork.
• Weight reduction. Shortening long, heavy limbs on mature elms, cottonwoods, silver maples and locusts.
• Fire spacing. Raising lower limbs and separating crowns on lots near open hillside, following Living With Fire guidance.

Working with drought-stressed trees

Nevada is the driest state in the country, and trees here are often under water stress. Heavy pruning in the hottest part of summer removes leaves a stressed tree needs, so we keep summer work light and do structural pruning in late winter while most deciduous trees are dormant. The ANSI A300 standard and ISA guidance both discourage removing too much live crown at once, and Living With Fire's guidance for fire spacing makes the same point: do not remove more than a third of a tree's height.

Street trees and neighbors

Pruning a tree in the city right-of-way requires a Tree Work Permit from Reno Urban Forestry. For a neighbor's tree hanging over your yard, the city suggests talking with the neighbor first, because pruning that damages the tree can create liability. We will tell you if either applies before quoting.

Call (775) 600-6504 for a free pruning estimate. The quote lists each tree and exactly what will be cut.