"Trimming" vs. Pruning Driving me NUTS!

[TreeVB]

I know there is already a thread with this "problem" incorporated in it so sorry for beating the dead horse with a stick. I don't do it often but I feel like venting about it.
Maybe I'm wrong here but WTF is up with people saying tree trimming!? Especially those that offer trimming AND pruning? The way I see it is trimming is just an uneducated cut to get limbs off of an object for clearance, when in reality the limbs need to be "pruned" back to a proper branch collar. Or, I guess you could trim a shrub. I think that TRIMMING, in the arborist world, needs to officially be deemed a HACK term. Come on all and let's get the term "trimming" out of our arboriculture vocabulary.
Now sorry if this offends anyone so please feel free to shed some light on how trimming is a correct word to use when it comes to proper TREE care. Thanks!

-Kevin-

 

[DSMc]

I think you are putting additional meanings on these words. Neither word can denote professionalism by itself. It is the application that does that.

 

[Worthaug]

I know there is already a thread with this "problem" incorporated in it so sorry for beating the dead horse with a stick. I don't do it often but I feel like venting about it.
Maybe I'm wrong here but WTF is up with people saying tree trimming!? Especially those that offer trimming AND pruning? The way I see it is trimming is just an uneducated cut to get limbs off of an object for clearance, when in reality the limbs need to be "pruned" back to a proper branch collar. Or, I guess you could trim a shrub. I think that TRIMMING, in the arborist world, needs to officially be deemed a HACK term. Come on all and let's get the term "trimming" out of our arboriculture vocabulary.
Now sorry if this offends anyone so please feel free to shed some light on how trimming is a correct word to use when it comes to proper TREE care. Thanks!

-Kevin-

I thoroughly dislike the word trimming as well. It had a bad connotation because the line clearance companies use it. Trimming's goals are for people solely and pruning' goals are for people who love their trees.


Reed Wortley
CA# SO-6953A
CTSP# 01739

 

[oldoakman]

I prune trees. I trim my beard. I am an Arborist, not a Treeman!

 

[ROYCE]

I had a pretty smart college professor and he instilled in me some of those issues your talking about. I remember on a walk around the campus one time a class mate asked how he would trim a particular tree....his response " I would prune that tree, I would trim my beard"

He also once stated that "dirt" is what is under you fingernails....Soil is what we are talking about here. "This was in response to someone talking about the dirt around the tree.

 

[TreeVB]

I think you are putting additional meanings on these words. Neither word can denote professionalism by itself. It is the application that does that.

I understand that a word itself cannot denote professionalism and that's my point. Let's change that and make trimming a less professional word than pruning. Let's really sell it when we're out doing bids and exclude the word "trimming". @ROYCE put it beautifully with his short story.
Thanks so far guys and good to see I'm not the only one!

 

[treehumper]

It's how the word is used in common vernacular that establishes the audience's understanding of it's meaning. In a pure sense, it means the same thing. However, the term "trimming" has come to describe basic action with little thought to the impact. It's like saying topping is the same as crown reduction. The term becomes more illustrative of the intent in total not just the action. Thus pruning is a more descriptive word if we explain the difference to our customers.

It can be used to help a client discern between two competing companies and their attitudes and approach. Customer asks to have something trimmed. You ask for their objective to this. They explain and you then describe to them how trimming to their "spec" is not the best management and that you can achieve their objective through proper pruning methods. This becomes an "aha" moment for them and subsequently a means of differentiating you from the competition.

 

[JontreeHI]

Im a tree climber, i have to trim when im up there if i want to get paid!

 

[Jeff Kowell]

Sometimes you prune but most of the time you trim . Both have their place


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[Pelorus]

I prune trees. I trim my beard. I am an Arborist, not a Treeman!

But you prune your toenails though, right?

 

[Jeff Kowell]

Lol true . But still have to prune trees as well . But I trim them also depending on what needs to be done . For example . If you had to take 6' of dead from a main leader of an oak I would consider it trimming


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[oldoakman]

But you prune your toenails though, right?

No, I grind them.

 

[JD3000]

Feed vs fertilize
Callous vs woundwood
Vitality vs Vigour.

Pop vs soda.

 

[JD3000]

All annoy me too.

 

[JD3000]

No, I grind them.

I chew mine.

 

[oldoakman]

I figured as much.

 

[JD3000]

Ha! You guys drink pop in the midwest eh?

Ohio word for sure. I have the Cleveland accent too so my pronunciations get a little odd to some.

I also use the word "auslt" = all's that

 

[Brocky]

Trimming and pruning probably mean the same thing to most customers. You have to stop them when they want you to just take a little off the top.

 

[Cutting Edge Tree Care]

So unfortunately customers say things like, "I want my tree trimmed" or "it needs a haircut" or "can you top it?" So as educated arborists, we need to go with the flow on this as far as customers are concerned--and this includes marketing because marketing is for this group of people (not to make them feel stupid for not knowing the difference between a tree guy and an arborist or trimming versus pruning etc.) So if we take tree trimming out of our advertising, we are only short changing ourselves as businesses in lieu of looking smart to our colleagues (in my opinion). We discuss this issue amongst ourselves because there is a fine line between educating our clients and offending them so they aren't actually our clients ever. So if you tell a client you are an arborist not just a tree guy and it's actually pruning Sir not trimming, guarantee you lose that bid. Cause I will kindly explain the difference on the phone but once you are in person, whatever they want to call it needs to just go cause they aren't open to change (most of the time) and anything you try to educate them on will only come off as arrogant, opinionated, and maybe even plain rude. I vote for venting about this issue in this forum, but continuing to advertise with trimming and whatever the client wants to call it when you are in front of them regardless of what you properly call it on an estimate or work order or invoice. Thoughts?

 

[Hoowasat]

We discuss this issue amongst ourselves because there is a fine line between educating our clients and offending them so they aren't actually our clients ever.

Oh, you went and done it now! I suspect our next thread will pit "amonst" against "among."
The difference between the terms pruning and trimming may have value among arborists, but it means little to nothing to most customers. If you attempt to educate a potential customer on this finer point, he/she might feel offended ... and won't be your customer.