What type of growth is expected after utility pruning on healthy trees?

After utility pruning on healthy trees, heavy sprout growth is typically expected. This type of pruning often stimulates the tree to produce new shoots and branches in response to the removal of larger limbs. When branches are trimmed back, the tree perceives this as a loss of canopy, and it compensates by sending out multiple new shoots from the cut areas. This regrowth can be vigorous as the tree works to restore its leaf area for photosynthesis.

Understanding the response of trees to pruning is essential for utility arborists, as this growth can impact power lines and infrastructure in the future. Proper management of this regrowth is important to ensure that trees remain healthy while still being in compliance with utility standards.