City Subscriptions

Park Maintenance Staff Begins Pruning of City Trees

Tree pruning season is upon us again, and the friendly faces of our parks maintenance staff can be seen pruning our boulevard trees all around the city. The goal of pruning public trees is to make them as safe and healthy as possible and to minimize conflicts with pedestrian and vehicle traffic, road signs, and buildings. Therefore, pruning is both beneficial and necessary. City staff strive to create clearance of 14 feet over the street, and 10 feet over the sidewalk. Any dead or diseased limbs are also removed. This prevents them from falling and causing damage or injury, and it also reduces the risk of decay or disease entering the rest of the tree. Structural defects are also corrected whenever possible, and hazardous trees are evaluated for removal. Finally, branches are pruned back from buildings and away from overhead utility lines. There are many things to evaluate before beginning pruning of each tree. Location, surrounding environment, the current condition of the tree, size of the tree, and the species are all taken into consideration before any branch is pruned. Every tree is unique, and each one will have a different course of action when it comes to pruning. Each and every cut made is deliberate and well thought-out. Our city is fortunate to have a staff of skilled professionals, many of whom are DNR certified Tree Inspectors and International Society of Aboriculture certified Arborists, that leave our trees safer and more beautiful.

For more information contact: Shawna MullenEardley, Parks and Recreation at 218-730-4311

 # # #