Thinning of the crown can increase light penetration through the tree it also reduces weight in branches and the sail effect of the crown (how much wind it stops).

Care must be taken not to over thin as this can lead to a decrease in leaf area thus having an adverse effect on photosynthesis.

Thinning should be carried out evenly through the crown and not just by removing the inner crown foliage this creates the effect known as “lion Tailing” where all the growth is situated at the end of branches resulting in an unsightly trees and higher chances of branch failure.