I have wanted to include some pictures of our maintenance work . However, it is often difficult to show in pictures about what we accomplish. With pruning it is easier, but we have to remember to get good before pictures as well as after pictures. Recently I did a pruning project on a contorted Filbert that was 6' tall and never pruned artistically. Unfortunately, again, I forgot the before pictures. 

 When I did some pruning on a lace leaf maple I did get some before pictures as well as after pictures. This was one I have pruned a few times before, but with lace leaf maples to keep them open so you can see the structure, it is a yearly affair. 

This is the before picture. As you can see the lower structure is visible but the upper structure is completely hidden. I went through the entire tree thinning excess branches removing excess larger branches and lifting the layering to emphasize the layer effect and allow the structure to come out.

I think you can see the difference a critical eye can make.

I filled a green dumpster almost full with the prunings and yet I don't think you can think the tree was butchered!

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