A.5.1 - Purpose

Pruning live branches creates a wound, even when the cut is properly made. Therefore, pruning objectives should be established prior to beginning any pruning operation.

a.

Three reasons trees should be pruned.

1.

Pruning for Health—Pruning for health involves removing diseased or insect-infested wood, thinning the crown to increase airflow, and removing crossing and rubbing branches. Pruning can best be used to encourage trees to develop a strong structure and reduce the likelihood of damage during severe weather. Removing broken or damaged limbs encourages wound closure.

2.

Pruning for safety involves removing branches that could fail and cause injury or property damage, trimming branches that interfere with lines of sight on streets or driveways, and removing branches that grow into utility lines. Safety pruning can be largely avoided by carefully choosing species that will not grow beyond the space available to them and have strength and form characteristics that are suited to the site.

3.

Pruning for aesthetics involves enhancing the natural form and character of trees or stimulating flower and fruit production. Pruning for form can be especially important on open-grown trees that do very little self-pruning. In some cases, tree pruning can be conducted to enhance views beyond the tree itself. This is a reasonable option when the tree's structure and health can be preserved, allowing it to continue to provide benefits that would be lost if the tree were removed altogether.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 9, 6-21-2016)