Blog | General Tree-Related Tips

Many people feel intimidated when it comes to maintaining or caring for trees on their property. It’s true that keeping trees healthy and protecting both property and people takes some effort and consideration. However, tree maintenance doesn’t need to be a hassle. 

If you need a little help knowing just what to do with your property’s trees, our G & V team can help. We’re tree service professionals in Alexandria, VA, with the knowledge and tools to address any tree-related issue. 

In this blog, we talk about why raising the tree canopy is essential for your trees, your property, and its guests. 

Reasons Raising or Lifting Tree Canopies is Important

Canopy raising refers to the process of increasing a tree’s overall height. While many assume this process might increase the risk of damage to property or the tree, canopy lifting provides many benefits. 

#1: Prevention of Property Damage

First, raising a tree’s canopy reduces the associated risks of property damage. 

Canopy raising involves removing the lower or erroneous limbs from trees. This process eliminates dead or weakened branches and reduces the number of limbs at ground or building height. During storms and heavy wind, fewer branches will detach at these levels. 

In addition, canopy raising encourages trees to grow upward. As this happens, trees develop new limbs at heights well above people or buildings, further decreasing the risk of damage. 

#2: Improved Visibility 

Often, tree limbs at person height or above will obscure the view from windows or balconies. In these cases, removing lower limbs and encouraging upward growth will allow for improved visibility without needing to uproot or top the tree. 

Raising the canopies of trees along roadways or driveways also prevents limbs from obstructing views of turns, curves, and parking. This process also reduces the risk of vehicular damage due to errant limbs. 

#3: Size Control 

Property owners sometimes need to control the diameter of trees on their land. 

To discourage horizontal expansion, tree experts use the canopy raising method and trim the lowest branches. With fewer lower limbs with which to gain sunlight and nutrients, the tree grows upward, limiting its need for trunk growth. 

#4: Better Aesthetics

Many trees produce an excessive number of branches at nearly every trunk level. For example, many pine species may grow limbs very close to the ground. 

While this branchy appearance works well for pine and other coniferous trees, species like sycamore or oak with too many low-set branches may appear gnarly or unkempt. 

For this reason, tree canopy raising has aesthetic benefits. Trimming lower tree branches encourages growth, allowing the tree to expand upward first before branching out, creating the familiar likeness of a person with their arms outstretched. 

#5: Stronger Trees

Finally, trimming lower branches on mature trees leaves them less susceptible to rot and disease. 

As trees grow, they create upper limbs for foliage to absorb sunlight and create other nutrients as necessary. Lower limbs may become less used and die off during this process. Removing these limbs allows the tree to focus energies on leaf and flower production, seed creation, and other critical tasks. 

Tree Experts in Virginia and Maryland

At G & V Tree Service, we know that planting, caring for, and removing trees takes a lot of work. As a family-owned and operated business with an extensive service area ranging from Virginia to Maryland, we’re ready to help residential and commercial property owners tackle their tree care needs with ease. 

Whether you need to raise a tree canopy or want to know more about staking trees, we have you covered. Call G & V Landscaping to get started today.