01/15/2026
🌱 Over the last few years, I keep seeing this way of pruning trees (especially Honey Locust and Silver Maple) around our communities... It might look nice but it can compromise the health and the safety of trees.
LION-TAILING is the removal of too many inner and lower branches, leaving foliage only at the ends of limbs. Although it may appear neat, this technique negatively affects tree health and safety.
🔍 Why it’s harmful: • Shifts weight to the branch tips, increasing the chance of failure
• Reduces natural damping, making branches more vulnerable to wind damage
• Exposes limbs to sunscald and temperature stress
• Disrupts the tree’s natural growth pattern and energy balance
• Encourages rapid, weak regrowth.
Proper pruning maintains interior foliage, supports strong branch structure, and follows ANSI A300 pruning standards to promote long-term health and stability.
Educated pruning decisions protect trees, property, and people.
