What is wind sailing?
Tall Douglas firs and other evergreens can act like sails in a windstorm. A dense crown catches the wind and puts a lot of force on the trunk and roots.
Wind sailing is selective thinning of the crown. Some branches are taken out all through the canopy so wind can pass through it instead of pushing against it. The tree keeps its natural shape.
Who it is for
It is a good fit if you like your big trees and want to keep them, but they worry you every time the wind picks up. It is often done on firs close to houses, garages and driveways.
- Tall firs and evergreens near the house
- Trees with heavy, dense crowns
- Trees that sway hard in winter storms
- Owners who want less risk without removing the tree
What we do and what we don't
We remove dead, broken and weak limbs and thin out live branches evenly through the crown. We do not top trees. Topping tends to cause weak regrowth and more problems later.
Wind sailing lowers the load on a tree. It cannot make any tree storm-proof. If a tree has a bad lean, decay or a cracked trunk, we will tell you. Sometimes removal is the safer choice.
When to do it
Most trimming and thinning can be done any time of year here. The best time to book is before the fall and winter storm season.
How a job goes
- Call or text. Call or text 360-900-6071, or send the online quote form. Photos of the trees help.
- Free estimate. We come out, look at the trees with you and talk about what you want. The quote is free and there is no obligation.
- Scheduling. We set a work date that suits you. Storm damage and trees on a house get handled first, 24/7.
- The work. Trees are climbed, cut and rigged with care for your house, fences, lawn and plants.
- Cleanup. We clean up branches and debris before we leave. Tell us ahead of time if you want to keep wood for firewood.
Common questions
Is wind sailing the same as topping?
No. Topping cuts the top off a tree. Wind sailing thins branches through the whole crown and leaves the top and the natural shape in place.
Does wind sailing hurt the tree?
Done right, it removes a limited amount of the live crown and keeps the tree healthy. Taking too much at once can stress a tree, so the cuts are kept selective.
Will it make my tree storm-proof?
No tree is storm-proof. Thinning lets wind pass through and takes some strain off the trunk and roots. If we see a tree that should come down, we will say so.
How often does it need to be done?
Trees keep growing, so the crown fills back in over time. We can take a look every few years and tell you if it needs another thinning.
Recent work
