When a tree starts looking overgrown, it doesn’t necessarily need to come down. Targeted maintenance can address safety hazards and keep the tree healthy. 

This was the case when Bear Creek Tree Service was called upon for tree pruning in a Denver neighborhood. The homeowner reached out because their mature maple had an overgrown canopy, and large limbs were getting uncomfortably close to the roofline. They wanted to keep the healthy tree, so the arborists determined that seasonal pruning was the best solution. 

The Tall Maple Needed More Than Ground-Level Trimming

• Client Profile: Residential
• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Type of Service: Tree pruning
• Duration: Five hours
• Service Frequency: One-time project
• Season: Winter
• Client Preferences: The client had a large mature tree near the home that needed professional pruning and maintenance. Because of the tree’s height and extensive branches, the crew used a bucket truck to safely reach the upper canopy while carefully working around nearby property and structures. 
• Tree Type: Maple

Winter Pruning With the Tree’s Structure in Mind

This particular tree had reached a height and canopy spread that made DIY maintenance impossible. Years without professional attention meant deadwood removal was overdue, and several branches had grown into positions that created safety concerns for anyone below. 

Although tree pruning would help, the tree’s size made it impossible for the crew to work from the ground. The solution was to bring in a bucket truck to provide technicians with access to the upper canopy. This way, they could work carefully without damaging anything surrounding the tree.  

The crew focused on three priorities: removing dead and weakened wood, correcting weak branch unions, and thinning the canopy to improve airflow and light penetration. Growth control was also part of the plan, as the cuts were designed to help guide future branch development away from the house and give the tree a stronger, more balanced form.

Why Working in the Winter Was Ideal

Scheduling the work during winter was intentional. Dormant-season pruning is widely recognized as the ideal window for maples, as they aren’t actively growing. This reduces stress on the tree and lowers the risk of disease entering fresh cuts.

The absence of foliage also made it easier to evaluate the tree’s branch structure and make strategic cuts. After five hours of work, the maple is now cleaner and safer, and the homeowner can enjoy the tree for years to come. 

Those in need of tree pruning can reach Bear Creek Tree Services at (720) 299-1409.