Salix Willow Pruning and Restoration in Reading

We recently carried out pruning and restoration works on a group of ornamental Willow trees in Reading that had become heavily overgrown and unmaintained over several years.

The owner had previously attempted to prune the trees themselves but later realised the pruning had been carried out too heavily and in the wrong areas, resulting in dense regrowth, crossing branches, poor structure, and sections of dieback throughout the canopy. Despite their condition, the trees held sentimental value to the client, so the aim was to improve the structure and appearance of the trees rather than remove them.

Our work involved careful tree pruning, crown thinning, and crown cleaning to reduce congestion within the canopy, improve airflow and light penetration, and selectively reduce the trees back to suitable growth points while maintaining their natural shape.

Although the trees were relatively small ornamental specimens, restoring them properly required patience, experience, and an understanding of how trees respond to pruning. Over-pruning can place significant stress on trees and often leads to weak, excessive regrowth if not managed correctly.

At Elementree Care, we take pride in carrying out tree work with the long-term health of the tree in mind. With extensive experience in pruning and reducing trees, we always focus on achieving a balance between the client’s needs, the appearance of the tree, and what is best for the tree structurally and biologically in the years ahead.

Following completion of the works, we advised the client to allow the trees time to recover before carrying out any future maintenance pruning.

Why is crown thinning important for trees?

Crown thinning helps reduce dense internal growth, improves airflow through the canopy, and lowers the risk of weak or congested branch structure.

Can over-pruned trees recover?

In many cases, yes. With careful selective pruning and proper aftercare, trees can gradually regain healthier structure and more balanced growth over time.

What is crown cleaning?

Crown cleaning involves removing dead, damaged, crossing, or defective branches to improve the health, safety, and appearance of the tree.