Crown Thinning
/kroun THIN-ing/🌲 Arboriculture● Basic
Also known as: thinning
Crown thinning involves removing select branches throughout the crown to reduce density without altering the tree's overall size or shape. Branches are removed at their point of origin or back to a lateral branch at least one-third the diameter of the removed branch. Per ANSI A300 standards, no more than 25% of the live crown should be removed in a single pruning cycle for mature trees.
Etymology
From Latin corona (crown, wreath) + Old English thynnian (to make thin)
Example
“Crown thinning of the red oak reduced wind resistance while maintaining the tree's natural form.”