I think of it like combing the tree's hair. A tree sends out branches in all directions, but many of those branches are growing towards branches that are alread

I think of it like combing the tree's hair. A tree sends out branches in all directions, but many of those branches are growing towards branches that are already there where the sky is already shaded. Many of them will naturally die off when they can't find enough light. We're just expediting the natural process and opening the tree up to the air and light. Ultimately, we're saving the tree from investing energy into dead ends and guiding its energy into the branches that can most effectively reach more open sky, which is what the tree really "wants." We're just acting as the tree's eyes to guide it.