Pruning, every cut that is made changes the structure of the tree, the direction of growth. When pruning trees it should be understood at least what species the tree is that you are pruning. Pruning is just not being able to stand in the first crotch and remove everything you can reach. This is done often and unfortunately homeowners think this is relatively a good gauge of how much they spend in relation to volume stacked at the curb. No thought is given to the consequences of such, “Broccoli cut” trees, no consideration for health, structure (see Trees Are Pets Too) or overall character. What is perplexing is why the homeowner doesn’t care. I don’t always feel that it is because they just are uniformed, I feel that some lower their expectations when hiring the cheapest, lowest bid and hope the right thing will be done, others just don’t really care. There’s nothing we can do for those who just don’t care, but for those who do, I can only tell you that proper pruning may be a little more expensive at first, it will not cost you time and time again like broccoli cutting.
Now, what is the ” Broccoli Cut”? It is the removal of most if not all limbs, branches and water sprouts within the reach of an amateur. This could be done by ladder, climbing/standing in lower crotches, and using extentions on the pole saw. This type of pruning if you want to call it that produces poor structure susceptible to failure and wind throw. Broccoli Cutting stimulates growth out past the point of reach, it does not take into account any abnormaities such as; inclusions, bifracations, embedding, diseased, damaged, and interfering limbs, structure, character and health are of no concern. Knowledge is not required only short term results.