Tree pruning is truly and art and science. Pruning is often required to maintain a tree’s health along with the protection of people and property. The science part of pruning includes removing dead or damaged limbs, deconflicting branches, and lightening/shortening branches that are “overreaching” themselves and become at risk for breakage. The art of tree pruning mostly involves the shape and appearance of the tree. When pruning for appearance, we spend significant time with the client on “end state” objectives. Raising the tree’s canopy, smoothing out the side canopy, and pruning for symmetrical shape are common appearance objectives.