Pruning with a purpose.
Better structure. Lower risk. Healthier trees. Trees don’t need a haircut: every cut changes how a tree grows, so every cut should have a reason.
Sometimes good pruning means doing less
We begin by asking: what are we trying to accomplish?
Leaves aren’t clutter. They feed the tree. Every cut creates a wound and permanently changes the structure of a living tree, and unnecessary pruning can weaken it and take away the shade and privacy a mature tree gives you.
If pruning provides a meaningful benefit, we’ll recommend it. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too.
When pruning is needed
The cut should have a reason.
Risk reduction
Dead, damaged, weak or overextended branches where failure could reasonably affect people or property.
Building & infrastructure clearance
Manage conflicts with roofs, walkways and structures while keeping as much healthy canopy as possible.
Formative pruning
Guide young trees toward strong structure early, so bigger interventions aren’t needed later.
Structure & canopy management
Selective pruning for specific structural concerns or load, respecting the tree’s natural form.
The Koala Tree Standard
Thoughtful cuts. Long-term consequences.
Every pruning job is planned around:
- The objective of the pruning
- Tree biology and natural form
- Structural integrity
- Choosing the right branches
- Keeping healthy canopy
- What’s around the tree
- How the tree will respond over time
- Current arboricultural best practice
The goal isn’t to make a tree look pruned. It’s to achieve the objective with the least intervention reasonably necessary.
Watch the workshop
Jason teaches pruning with purpose.
Here’s Jason Korkidakis, Koala Tree’s owner and an ISA Certified Arborist (ON-3263A), teaching arborists from all around Ontario how to prune with purpose.
Pruning With Purpose Workshop · 1 hr 3 min · Treeed on YouTube
Restraint matters
More pruning isn’t better pruning.
We don’t take out healthy canopy just to make a tree smaller, neater or more symmetrical, and we don’t remove more than the job calls for because we’re already up there. Good pruning is measured by how well the tree is set up for the years ahead, not by how much comes off.
“Every branch removed should earn its absence.”
Risk mitigation
Sometimes the answer isn't removal.
Reduce the risk. Keep the tree.
- Clearance pruning
- Weight and end-weight reduction
- Cabling and bracing
- Deadwood and defect management
A defect doesn't automatically mean removal. The goal isn't zero risk. It's reasonable risk, managed carefully.
Not sure if a defect matters? Book an Assessment · $150
At work
Pruning you can see the reasoning behind.
Working beside the house from the spider lift.
Pruning from the climbing line.
Clearance pruning from the spider lift.
Your lead arborist
Professional judgement before tree work.
Jason Korkidakis is the Owner & Lead Arborist at Koala Tree. He’s an ISA Certified Arborist (ON-3263A), TRAQ qualified and PPQ qualified, with a decade of experience and more than 5,000 tree assessments. His job is to help you understand the tree, explain the options clearly and recommend only what the situation calls for.
Reviews
Pruning, in clients' words.
From our Google reviews, in clients’ own words.
“What a great company to deal with. Right from first meeting Jason for the quote to booking and then the actual day. You can tell Jason cares about what he is doing. He made it look so easy to get the equipment through my gate and into my backyard. He trimmed the tree exactly as we discussed. His team that arrived for clean up were great as well. I'm impressed! Price was great as well. Thanks Jason for a job I've dreaded for years!”
Michelle Masse · Google review
“The Koala team did an amazing job removing trees and trimming the growth on our property. Jason and his team are courteous and respectful while working and we were specially appreciative of the tree health advice. The Koala team shows that they really care about our Forest City in the work they do.”
Warren Helland · Google review
“We have been having Jason and his crew … manage our trees for the last several years. We have been very impressed with the care and respect they have shown while on our property. They are extremely professional how they go about their business. The work is done in a timely manner and they work very hard to make sure that everything is cleaned up and left in a neat and tidy condition. We will continue to have Jason take care of our trees.”
Michael · Google review
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do I know if my tree needs pruning?
Pruning should have a clear objective: managing dead or damaged branches, improving structure, creating clearance or reducing a specific risk. If you’re not sure, we can assess the tree before recommending any work.
How much of a tree can safely be removed?
There isn’t one percentage that fits every tree. It depends on the species, age, condition, structure and objective. We remove only what’s reasonably necessary.
Do you prune large mature trees?
Yes. Mature trees need especially careful pruning because every cut affects their structure and future growth. We use climbing, rigging and the spider lift to do selective work where it’s warranted.
Can pruning make a tree safer?
Sometimes. Selective pruning can remove deadwood, manage overextended limbs or reduce load. Whether it meaningfully lowers the risk depends on the tree and the concern.
What if you decide it doesn’t need pruning?
Then we’ll tell you. The right recommendation might be monitoring, another kind of risk mitigation or leaving the tree alone.
Do I need an assessment or a free quote?
If you already know the work you want, a free quote may be all you need. If you’re trying to work out what should be done, the Certified Arborist Assessment is usually the better start. Not sure? Call us and we’ll help you choose.
Know the pruning you want? Get a free quote.
Tell us what you’d like done and send a few photos. Not sure pruning is right? Start with the assessment.
Prefer to talk? Call 226-224-5877 · Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm · info@koalatree.ca