Why is it important to thin the canopy of trees on your property?

Edward Gilman and Nathan Eisner a Professor and Research Assistant at the University of Florida‘s Environmental and Horticulture Department wrote:

1. Thinning the canopy of trees allows more light to penetrate to interior foliage which will keep interior branches alive; this will increase the strength of main branches near the trunk of the tree. 

2. Thinning the canopy of trees can also reduce the incidence of foliage disease by increasing air flow and sunlight to reach the ground under the tree. 

3. Thinning the canopy of trees allows more air to go through the tree instead of pushing against it which may help trees resist storm damage.

4. Thinning the canopy of trees give them a pleasing lacy appearance that adds a certain elegance to your landscape.

To read the full article go to  http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/documents/thinning.pdf