Best Practices
At Constance Land Services, we adhere to certain industry best practices. We believe these practices minimize impact, mitigate long-term tree health issues, and promote proper tree stewardship.
Conifer Care
1. We do not top conifer trees (this does not apply to shrubs (English Laurel, etc.) or small conifers such as Arborvitae). Topping native conifers (Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, etc.) is detrimental to the tree’s health. While some trees do recover, they are inherently weaker and more prone to future issues, such as weak co-dominant tops. If topping is desired or requested, we recommend alternate actions, including full removal and replacement with a more height-appropriate species.
If view enhancement is a concern, we recommend “window framing”—the selective removal of several branches to provide a filtered view. In some cases, complete removal and replacement with a more appropriate species may be the best option.
2. We do not “windsail” or perform crown reductions. There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that branch thinning mitigates whole-tree failure risk. In fact, branches work together to divert wind around the tree and block each other from excessive articulation in high winds.
We can structurally prune the tips of individual “outlier” branches to mitigate branch failure. This encourages wind flow around the tree canopy, reducing leverage on the upper stem (trunk) and end weight on limbs.
3. Conifer care services that we do offer*: We perform crown cleaning (dead and damaged limbs), hazard branch removals, selective branch shortening, minor limb-ups (excessive limb-ups can also pose a health risk to the tree), and selective view improvement pruning (again, in moderation).
Our philosophy is derived from published university extension resources (UW, OSU, and others), Washington Department of Natural Resources publications, an understanding of silviculture, and the logic that amputating trees away from their God-given design is not good stewardship.
*Note: We do not use climbing spurs (or “spikes”) when conducting pruning or branch removals. The spikes can penetrate the cambium layer and wound the tree. Spurs are only used during tree removals.