Trees Trees can be pruned so light and air can get to the center of the tree.  They can be pruned to correct malformed growth, for fruit production, so the tree fits the space it's in, for appearance, and for other purposes.  I usually recommend pruning ornamental trees to fit the space they have, for light and air, and so they look attractive.  I can prune fruit trees to produce larger and more fruit, or, if you don't use the fruit, I can prune it like an ornamental.  Here are some examples, before and after. Click on a picture to enlarge it. A good example of pruning for light and air. Notice the shadow on the ground.  Light can now get to the center of the tree. This poor thing was growing off to the right so far that the customer asked me to cut it down. I suggested balancing it out and making it fit its space. Sometimes all that's needed is... ...removing the lower limbs and sealing the wounds. This Italian Prune (plum) tree is so thick, it produced very little fruit. Now it can produce, and ripen, larger, juicer fruit; and it now fits the yard. Too big for its narrow space. Now it looks like it belongs there. This cherry tree is so thick the fruit had trouble ripening. Now it should produce better cherries...that can be reached. Those vertical sprouts are called "water sprouts."  By pruning at the right time of the season, I can nearly eliminate them from forming.  Note: the season in this picture is not the right time, but the customer wanted it done. It looks better, but this tree has been pruned wrong (by someone else) for far too many years. “Healthy yards through knowledge and experience” STEVE MILLER Owner / Laborer Licensed, Bonded, Insured 360-258-6383 The best choice to call when you want: Hand thinned & shaped shrubs, hedges & trees Lawn maintenance including cut new edges; bark; aerate; dethatch; feed; treat pH & clay; insect, disease, & weed control Roof, concrete, deck & fence cleaning and treatment Retaining walls, fences, sheds & decks built Over-seeding and lawns installed Sprinkler systems designed, installed and maintained