The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the type of tree in the city, its age, health, and your goals.
Overall, pruning trees can have a positive impact on their health and longevity. It can help remove dead or diseased branches, improve air and sunlight circulation, and reduce the risk of branch breakage due to wind or snow. It can also be useful for controlling the growth and shape of the tree and improving its aesthetic appearance.
However, excessive pruning can harm the trees. It can weaken them, make them more susceptible to pests and diseases, and reduce their flower and fruit production. It is therefore important to prune trees sparingly and only when necessary.
In some cases, tree trimming may be necessary for safety reasons. For example, if a tree grows too close to a power line, it may be necessary to trim the branches to prevent a short circuit. Trees that grow too close to buildings or roads may also need to be pruned to prevent damage.
General guidelines for pruning trees in the city
- The best time to prune trees is winter when they are dormant. This gives them time to recover before spring.
- Use sharp, clean tools to avoid damaging the tree.
- Cut the branches at a 45-degree angle close to the trunk of the tree.
- Do not cut off more than 25% of the tree crown in one cut.
More information about pruning:
1) Cuts must be made vertically so that rain and pollution do not penetrate through the stumps and make the tree diseased.
2) Remove all branches without tearing them off.
3) Before cutting the branch, it is recommended to cut off the bark from below so that no part of the trunk is torn when removing the branch.
4) If the branch is very thick or heavy, cut it into pieces. Starting at the top. These branches are only cut if the tree has other branches of the same size that maintain the balance of the specimen.
5) Remove only the branches and tips that are necessary.
6) Do not prune branches that form a roof, only very low branches that obstruct the passage of pedestrians or vehicles.
7) It is not necessary to cut down a tree if its roots overhang the sidewalk. You can only cut off the offending root parallel to the trunk and then prune the branches so that the tree maintains its balance.
8) In the case of cables and lights, it is not necessary to trim all the foliage, but only the branches that expand the light cone or those necessary to create the “tunnel effect” that allows the passage of overhead lines are cut .
9) Depending on the size of the branches, manual pruning shears are used, followed by saws with special teeth and finally chainsaws. When it comes to pruning properly, the ax and the machete must be banned!!!
Let us remember that the tree is a living being and as such deserves our respect.
If you are unsure how to prune a tree, it is best to contact a certified arborist. An arborist can assess the condition of the tree and recommend the best pruning plan.
Expert Susana Papale tells us what usually happens to trees in the city
Modern culture reduced the tree to an ornamental element and underestimated its value as a basic need.
Educating about the importance of trees for life is an obligation when we see that cement is increasingly isolating people from nature. The landscape has been obliterated and, even worse, our contact with the Earth has been erased.
In this panorama, the tree has become something annoying, to be cut down at will in the pursuit of little-understood progress. In reality, he is a silent friend who generously gives us everything he has: restraint, freshness, purity, life lesson, without demanding any retribution.
Who owns the trees in the city?
The sidewalk trees are part of the common good of a community, so their care is the shared responsibility of the frontage owners and the community.
Fronters can contribute to sidewalk tree care in several ways. For example, you can:
- Report tree damage or disease to local authorities.
- Assist city employees with tree trimming or removal.
- Plant trees in your gardens or front yards.
The community can also contribute to the care of sidewalk trees in various ways. For example, you can:
- Prune and maintain trees regularly.
- Plant new trees where they are needed.
- Educate frontline workers about the importance of tree care.
By working together, cross-border commuters and the community can help preserve sidewalk trees, which are an essential part of urban environments.
Remember that you should not prune a tree simply for the following reasons:
The leaves cover the drains so as not to sweep the sidewalk, so that the tree becomes stronger and healthier, it is neater, it can see the sign or window better, it is too big or too old or out of habit to prune them .
Sidewalk trees offer many benefits to cities
- They reduce urban heat.
- They improve air quality.
- They provide shade and protection for wildlife.
- They increase property value.
That’s why it’s important that we all work together to protect them.
The planet needs its trees as an essential element that guarantees life.
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