Tree People of Walla Walla does not recommend Crown Raising. Removal of scaffolding or lateral branching off the main stem of the tree provides access for fungi, pathogens, and destructive insects to attack the tree.
When approached by Tree People about this pruning, the Director of Parks and Recreation responded “All the cuts were made in accordance with ISA Best Practices”.
All 14 of the cuts?
2020
This tree, at a major downtown intersection, does not represent the level of care that should be expected of a city with Tree City USA aspirations. Tree People asked that the tree be destroyed and replaced as it had been ‘unacceptably mutilated’.
The Director declined our request. When asked what course of action the city would take he replied:
We’re going to monitor it.
2022
In these images from 2022 the tree is valiantly attempting to restore itself. The city has added a significant planter, in an awkward, unsuccessful attempt to compensate for the top-heavy visual effect.
The planter may have cost as much as a replacement tree.
2023
Epicormic shoots in the spring of 2023. The tree is attempting to close the wounds
We will continue to monitor this tree’s efforts.
When Crown raising becomes necessary
In urban settings, lower branches of trees may have to be removed to satisfy the needs of one or more of the major stakeholders. These stakeholders may include local business proprietors, urban tree managers, or arborists.
Lower limbs are generally removed to provide a more desirable view of the retail storefronts. That was not the case for this tree. In some situations the lower limbs may be removed to provide a “clearview” line-of-sight for safety reasons; that was not the case for this unfortunate tree.
The crown should be raised gradually, beginning when the tree is young. If crown lifting is done properly the arborist will periodically be pruning small branches, more often, with less harm to the tree.
Significant cuts, like those shown on the tree in question, become necessary only if the tree has been ignored or has not been properly pruned as it is growing.
The sources below offer sound advice for those considering Crown Lifting. It is worth noting that Professor Gilman recommends removing upper and lower secondary lateral branches, not main branches off the stem. in order to slow growth on the lower branches of the crown.
The article by the Urban Tree Foundation provides pictures of acceptable and non-acceptable crown lifting. In these examples every image of acceptable crown lifting shows trees located on narrow sidewalks, limbed up over storefront windows or awnings.
notes
Raising the Crown
Urban Tree Foundation
Raising or Lifting the Canopy
Edward Gilman, Nathan Eisner
IFAS Extension
Tree People of Walla Walla 