Featured Project Preserving Mature Trees in Menomonie With Structural Pruning & Plant Health Care A long-term residential client in Menomonie wanted to preserve the health and aesthetics of their mature landscape. Their yard featured a prized Japanese tree lilac, older foundation shrubs, and several large shade trees that required careful, consistent management to thrive. The homeowners strongly valued their privacy and wanted to maintain a dense visual screen from their neighbors. They turned to our team for a gentle, science-based approach to pruning and disease prevention that would keep the canopy vibrant for decades to come. Key Takeaways THE CHALLENGEThe client needed their mature shrubs and trees pruned for health without sacrificing the dense privacy screen shielding their yard. THE PROCESSThe team executed conservative structural pruning, installed steel support cables, and applied preventative borer treatments. THE RESULTThe landscape has remained healthy and visually pleasing, with the pricing decreasing over time as maintenance became easier. Managing older landscape plants requires a strategic touch. Rather than aggressively cutting the shrubs back, we established an annual maintenance routine focusing on slow, methodical pruning and targeted health interventions to support the mature root systems. Project Summary Client Profile: Long-Term Residential Homeowner Project Location: Menomonie, WI Primary Objective: Maintain plant health and yard privacy through regular tree pruning. Core Approach: Gradual aesthetic pruning and comprehensive tree health care. Key Outcome: Decades of continuous plant vitality and a structurally sound, beautiful landscape. Balancing Aesthetics With Landscape Privacy The primary challenge on this property was balancing the client's desire for dense privacy with the biological need for structural pruning. Because the homeowners had overplanted trees to block out the neighboring yard, several species were growing too close together, leading to internal competition for space and light. Additionally, the property featured a beautiful Japanese tree lilac that had previously suffered heavy damage from a winter snowplow. To save the tree, our team had to intervene carefully, working to restore its natural shape without shocking the root system. Gentle Pruning and Preventative Treatments One of our company owners personally managed this four-hour visit to ensure the crew understood the specific nuances of the client's goals. The team performed highly targeted cuts to manage the dense space gently over time. To fix the damaged lilac, we installed tree cabling to hold the failing unions together, allowing the plant to safely recover. "This is a unique project because the homeowners have kept up with it over the years. It's a perfect example of how you can maintain these shrubs for decades if you keep up with it." - (Chris, Expert Tree Service & Science) Beyond pruning, we applied critical plant health care measures. We continued an eight-year treatment cycle on a massive 35-inch ash tree to successfully protect it from the devastating Emerald Ash Borer. We also installed steel support cables in several large backyard maples to mitigate the risk of branch failure during severe storms. Before After Before After A Thriving, Long-Term Landscape The consistent, annual care has yielded exceptional results. The Japanese tree lilac has fully recovered its shape, the maples stand strong against high winds, and the large ash tree remains in perfect condition despite the regional borer threat. Because the homeowners invested in routine maintenance early and consistently, their yearly project costs have decreased. By not neglecting the plants, the annual visits require far less intensive work, saving the client money while producing a vastly superior aesthetic outcome. Want to Protect Your Mature Landscape? We provide the honest, science-based advice you need to keep your trees and shrubs healthy for the long haul. From preventative borer treatments to structural pruning, our certified arborists know exactly what your canopy needs. Do you want to establish a healthy maintenance routine in Menomonie? Contact us to schedule an assessment. Expert Tree Service & Science 633 County Rd T, Hammond, WI 54015 Call 651-239-3672 or Schedule Online Frequently Asked Questions How often should I schedule tree pruning? We recommend an annual consultation to assess your landscape. Catching overgrown branches or structural defects early on keeps your pruning costs low and ensures the best aesthetic results for your property over time. Can you save a tree with a split trunk? If a tree has a healthy root system but suffers from a weak union, we can often preserve it using professional tree cabling. By installing high-strength steel support rods, we reduce the movement of the branches and significantly lower the risk of failure. Is it too late to treat my tree for Emerald Ash Borer? Treatments are incredibly effective when applied preventatively. However, if your ash tree is already showing severe signs of decline or heavy canopy loss, it is typically too late to save it, and removal is the safest option.