Tree Trimming and Shrub Pruning
Proper tree trimming and shrub pruning can enhance plant function and performance in the landscape as well as increase structural strength and lessen risk of failure. Stein Tree Service has been providing tree trimming and pruning services in Pennsylvania and Delaware’s beautiful landscapes since 1983.
Our arborists are experienced at identifying areas of need and the proper technique required to trim and prune trees and shrubs to achieve the desired effect while maintaining plant health and safety.
Trimming & pruning are two of the most valuable procedures an arborist performs, however, done incorrectly or at the wrong time, shrubs and trees can be damaged. Stein Tree Service’s local tree care professionals are familiar with local conditions and will take exceptional care of your trees.
What is the Difference Between Trimming and Pruning?
Tree trimming and pruning are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between the two. Tree trimming refers to removing branches or limbs that interfere in some way, such as overhanging power lines or other structures, while pruning refers to cutting back or removing damaged or dead limbs to improve the overall health of the tree. Tree trimming and pruning can be complex and should be performed by a professional tree pruning company for best results.
Benefits of Tree Pruning
Tree trimming and shrub pruning is important for more than just aesthetics. Some of the reasons homeowners request tree pruning or trimming are:
- Increase property value and visual beauty
- Improve plant shape and appearance
- Provide clearance or reduce interference
- Reduce risk of damage from storms
- Promote plant health and vigor
- Restore a plant damaged by storms, disease, or equipment
- Reduce risk of tree failure
- Improve or alter a view or line of sight
- Encourage flower and fruit production

Methods of Trimming & Pruning
Tree trimming and pruning is done for various reasons, and different methods are utilized for each task. Some common or popular tree pruning methods are:
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Crown Cleaning
This type of service removes dead, diseased and/or broken tree or shrub parts. Crown cleaning is also known as “deadwooding.” This type of tree trimming and pruning can reduce the risk of personal or property damage from tree branches falling on homes, cars, businesses or people. -
Crown Thinning or Crown Density Reduction
Selective removal of live tree branches decreases density in the canopy to increase sunlight penetration or air movement within the crown and to adjacent lawn and landscape plants. Thinning of branches can help reduce the chance of damage when storms occur. -
Reduction Pruning
Thinning cuts remove or shorten live branches to reduce the overall size of a tree or shrub, increase light penetration and air circulation, or minimize inference with adjacent structures or other plants. Some companies use lopping shears, which are similar to smaller hand pruning shears, to cut branches 2 or more inches in diameter that can be reached easily. Stein Tree uses modern, lightweight arborist tools for better reach and safety. -
Structural Pruning
Structural pruning of young trees involves removal of live plant parts to improve branching orientation, spacing, or growth rate. -
Crown Raising
Raising the crown level of a tree involves pruning cuts to remove live or dead unwanted branches from the lower part of a tree. Crown raising is done to improve a view or improve overhead clearance for buildings, vehicles, power lines, equipment or pedestrians. -
Restoration Pruning
This type of pruning removes live or dead tree parts to restore a tree or shrub to its natural form, growth habit, or vigor. Restoration pruning can be performed to minimize health and structural integrity issues caused by storm damage. -
Root Pruning
Root pruning is needed when roots grow into sidewalks, foundations or other structures.
When is the Best Time for Tree Trimming and Shrub Pruning
Minor tree trimming can be performed on some trees at any time of the year but for major trimming projects the optimal time is during dormancy, late fall to early spring. We often get requests for tree trimming in late winter, when trees can be pruned with less chance of damaging the tree. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering. In fact, all flowering trees should also generally be pruned after they flower, in order to promote pollination and to maintain the number of blooms. If they are pruned before flowering, less spring growth of flowers will result.
Regional Considerations
Both Delaware and Pennsylvania experience similar climatic conditions, characterized by cold winters and warm, humid summers. This climate influences the optimal pruning times:
- Winter Pruning: Pruning during the late fall to early spring dormancy period is generally safe and promotes vigorous growth in the spring.
- Disease Prevention: Pruning during the appropriate season helps prevent the spread of diseases, which can be more prevalent during the growing season.
Benefits of Professional Tree Care
A good professional tree service will be knowledgeable about the best techniques and timing for tree trimming and shrub pruning. Certified arborists care about preserving the tree and will know how to take proper care of them. For example, they will know how to cut branches to avoid damaging the branch collar, which would weaken the tree. Other benefits, besides knowledge and experience, to having a professional perform your tree trimming include:
Safety
Tree care can be dangerous. Trained professionals will be experienced in safe practices, such as using harnesses and hard hats, and in proper management of work near power lines.
Equipment
Most homeowners will lack the proper equipment to safely and effectively perform major tree care, or trimming of large trees. Stein Tree Service uses a compact lift to reach trees that are tall or that are located in tight areas. See the lift in action in our video below.
Insurance
Having licensed and insured specialists perform tree care protects you from financial liability in the event of an accident.
Why Choose Stein for Tree Trimming and Shrub Pruning?
FREE
Consultation
We offer a free consultation with our experts to evaluate your landscape and its current or potential problems. We provide a quote based on YOUR landscape needs.
Expert Care by Certified Arborist
We employ ISA Certified Arborists and seasoned tree care specialists for our services including tree trimming and shrub pruning. They are well-versed in the latest tree health care practices and standards, ensuring top-notch service for your landscape.
Affordable
Excellence
Trust your trees to the experts. Our professionals are well-versed in the latest tree trimming and shrub pruning practices and standards, ensuring top-notch service for your landscape.
Licensed and Insured
We are fully licensed and insured so you can have peace of mind. While our team consists of highly experienced professionals, our comprehensive insurance coverage means you’re protected against any unforeseen incidents.
Stein Tree Service Equipment
Tree care requires specialized equipment for most efficient performance and safety. Tree care professionals often have to cut trees from awkward angles, though our spider lift minimizes those situations. For close pruning, we often use a variety of cordless top handle chainsaws, also called arborist chainsaws. These tools are lightweight and easier to control than standard chainsaws. For trimming and shaping, we also use powered long handled or telescoping hedge trimmers. These tools, along with blowers, vehicles, lifts and chippers, allow us to effectively and safely perform tree trimming and shrub pruning and leave the area clean of debris when finished.

Common Questions About Tree Trimming
We hear many tree care questions every day and below are a few common queries about tree trimming and shrub pruning.
Our rates are based on the time, equipment and skillsets required to perform a specific job. Working on a tree in the middle of an open field with no obstacles around would cost less than working on the same tree in the middle of a residential back yard near power lines and growing over a home/deck/shed/fence. We perform a site visit for every job so that when we provide a proposal you know what you are going to pay to get the job done.
In Delaware, electric utility companies manage main power lines, and property owners are responsible for maintaining trees that could interfere with service lines (smaller lines that connect the main lines to individual homes or businesses.)
We offer a fully organic OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) certified line of products along with beneficial insect releases for a natural approach to PHC.
Yes! Stein Tree Service has over 40 years of experience working with companies, property managers, schools, churches and organizations, helping them make a great first impression, minimize injury risk and improve overall safety with professional commercial tree services. Besides commercial tree trimming, some of our commercial services include tree removal and site clearing, right of way clearing, tree risk assessments, fertilization and soil management, and more.
We prioritize the use of organic and sustainable treatments, including OMRI-certified products and beneficial insect releases, to manage pests and enhance plant health without harming the environment.
Yes. Stein Tree Service frequently provides tree risk assessments to homeowners and businesses looking to keep their trees healthy and ensure they pose no risk to their surroundings or people passing by. Our ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor can also provide professional consulting services to help property owners and property insurers resolve disputes.
Yes, Stein Tree Service does have a certified arborist on staff who is highly experienced in plant health care, which is a comprehensive strategy focusing on the overall health of your landscape plants. PHC involves regular monitoring, preventive treatments, and tailored care plans to address potential issues before they become significant problems. Our ISA Certified Arborist assesses various factors, including soil conditions, pest presence, and plant vitality, to develop customized PHC programs suited to your landscape’s unique needs.
Stein has the equipment to trim tall trees. Our staff is well trained and experienced, and we have bucket trucks and spider lifts that allow us to manage big and dangerous jobs like this. Our compact spider lift allows us to reach trees up to 83 feet high without climbing or moving trucks around in your yard. In addition to our specialty equipment each of our crews can climb trees, without the use of spikes, allowing us to prune trees in very tight spaces that are not accessible by machine. Spikeless climbing is an industry best practice when we are not fully removing the tree as it prevents wounding the tree with the use of the spikes.
We never use spikes or gaffs on a tree unless we are removing the tree. We may use ropes to assist us in lowering large limbs or to swing them away from objects to avoid any damage.
Evergreen trees should be pruned in early spring. This timing allows new growth to fill in and cover the wounds in pruned areas. We may be able to lightly prune lightly during early-summer when they are semi-dormant, but if the work is done in late summer or fall, the new growth that occurs after pruning could still be taking place and would make the tree more vulnerable to winter’s effects.
Tree topping is considered a bad practice that negatively impacts the health and aesthetic beauty of the tree. Tree topping is when the top portion of the tree is removed at a mostly horizontal cut across the canopy. Tree topping causes stress to the tree, lowers its ability to collect sunlight for nutrients, and causes unsightly water sprouts to grow from the cuts.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Choosing a professional to care for your landscape’s plants and trees is a big decision, and great references can help make the choice easier. We get a lot of our business from word of mouth endorsements, because we are committed to treating your landscape like our own. See what a few of our clients have to say:
“Stein tree service you rock!!! The crew came right in and starting working, explained the tree trimming process, very professional, knowledgeable and nice. Awesome crew!! Great job, me and my husband truly appreciate you!! ”
“I’ve used Stein a number of times and it’s always a great experience. I have used them for tree pruning, tree removal and emergency tree removal for a tree that came down during a wind storm. Pricing is great and they took care of my emergency tree removal super quick.”
“Stein Tree Service always does a great job at a reasonable price. I recently needed their services to clean up storm damage and to prune the tree that dropped the limbs. Matt responded within a day, gave me an estimate, and assured me the work would be done that same week. Rich and his crew did great work. They arrived on time, and with great care and efficiency, took care of everything. I always recommend Stein to my neighbors and friends.”
“Stein tree service did a great job removing branches that broke from a large tree, and also trimmed the tree for a very reasonable price compared to the other quotes I got. Thank you!”
Pennsylvania
- Landenburg, PA
- New Garden, PA
Trust Stein For Your Tree Trimming and Shrub Pruning In DE, PA and MD
Stein Tree Service has been providing residential and commercial tree trimming and pruning in Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania for over 40 years, and we strive to provide exceptional services for our clients. Contact us today for a free quote.