Our pruning follows the principles of the ANSI A300 Standards. 
The reasons for tree pruning, may include, but are not limited to, reducing hazards, maintenance or improving tree health and structure, improving aesthetics, or satisfying a specific need such as: removing diseased, dead, dying, decayed, interfering or obstructing branches; training young trees; utility line clearance; or specialty tasks as defined in the A300 standards.

Before pruning, the primary objective should be clearly defined.  That objective should be accomplished in the manner most beneficial to the health of the tree.  Example, a typical method of performing a pruning cut is given below in  Figure 1.

The majority of our pruning is maintenance pruning. 
This is recommended when the primary objective is to maintain or
 improve tree health and structure and includes hazard reduction pruning. 
 Following are some various terms given for Maintenance Pruning:
Crown Cleaning: Crown cleaning consists of the selective removal of one or more of the following items: dead, dying, diseased, weak branches and waterspouts from a tree's crown.
Crown Thinning: Crown thinning consists of the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement, and reduce weight.
Crown Reduction (Crown Shaping): Crown reduction reduces the height and/or spread of a tree.  Very careful consideration should be given to the ability of a species to sustain this type of pruning.
Vista Pruning:  Vista pruning is selective thinning of framework limbs or specific areas of the crown to allow a specific view of an object from a predetermined point.
Crown Restoration:  Crown restoration pruning should improve the structure, form, and appearance of trees that have been severely headed, vandalized, or storm damaged.