Tree services · Courtenay
Pruning and limbing in Courtenay
Pruning follows ANSI A300, the North American standard for pruning cuts and crown management. Deadwood removal, clearance over a roof and canopy reduction are the three most common jobs in the Comox Valley. BC Hydro's 3 metre limit applies to any branch near a line carrying between 750 volts and 75 kV.
Pruning is the one job here where doing less is usually right. A tree closes a cut with its own energy, and taking too much at once costs it the reserves it needs to do that.
How much can come off at once?
Less than most people expect. We take deadwood freely, because the tree has already written it off, but live crown comes off sparingly and in stages across seasons if there is a lot to do. A tree stripped hard in one visit responds with weak, upright regrowth that is worse than what you started with.
Will pruning fix a leaning tree?
Usually not. Weight reduction can buy time on a tree that is leaning because it is top-heavy, but a tree leaning because the root plate has moved is a different problem and pruning does not touch it. If the lean is new, have it looked at as a danger tree rather than a pruning job.
What about the branch over the power line?
If it is within 3 metres of a line between 750 volts and 75 kV, that is BC Hydro's work, not ours, and not yours. Below 750 volts the limit is 1 metre. If you cannot tell which line is which — and most people cannot — call the utility and let them tell you.
People also ask
When is the best time to prune?
Late winter for most species here. Storm damage is whenever it happens.
Do you top trees?
No. Topping creates weak regrowth and shortens the life of the tree.
Can you prune a neighbour's branch over my fence?
Up to the property line, with their tree still their tree. We will tell you where that line falls.
For related help, see tree removal, stump grinding and storm and danger trees.
Tree work in nearby communities
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- Compare tree removal costsWhat removals typically cost.Read more
- Storm and danger treesWindthrow, hung-up stems and split leaders. Risk assessed to the ISA method, and anything inside a utility approach distance goes to BC Hydro first.Read more
- Tree removalFull removals by ISA Certified Arborists, rigged and lowered in sections where a straight fall would hit something. Stump and cleanup quoted alongside.Read more
- Courtenay Tree Removal homeRead more