Thinning - will not significantly reduce the overall size of a tree but will open up its canopy to allow more sunlight to penetrate the interior of the tree and to reach plants growing below. Thinning can be used to reduce resistance to wind and to reduce stress during drought periods or following construction damage. Dead, broken, weak, or diseased branches should be removed. Then, selectively remove limbs from the perimeter of the canopy, especially those growing close together or beyond the desired canopy size. Also, remove branches with narrow angles of attachment. Branches should be taken back to their point of origin or to laterals that are at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed. Trees vary in the amount of thinning they can tolerate without creating undesirable effects. An over thinned tree will respond by producing numerous watersprouts and suckers. Sunscald can occur on trees with thin bark. Never remove more than 25 percent of the total foliage at one time.

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