Tree Pruning Guidelines Clause Samples

Tree Pruning Guidelines. Pruning is an activity that can be done by anyone if they know a few of the basic principles. The smaller a tree is, the easier it is for the average individual to prune it. The larger the tree the safer and more practical it is to have a professional tree service do the pruning. See the "Tree Pruning Standards" for more information on safety and pruning standards for professional tree services and landscape contractors. 1. When hiring a tree service, require that the work be supervised by an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist. A list of Certified Arborists in your area can be found at ▇▇▇.▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇. 2. Prune trees regularly to maintain their health, structural integrity, and form. 3. Keep pruning equipment sharp, clean, and in good operating condition. 4. Remove deadwood from trees to allow the branch collar to seal over and help seal out insects and diseases and other harmful organisms. 5. Tree pruning should begin at the time a tree is planted (please see "Tree Planting" and "New Tree Maintenance Standards" in Tree Establishment Guidelines and Standards). 6. Prune trees when young to develop good branch structure and strength and tree form (see Young Tree Pruning Guidelines). 7. At the time of planting or within the 1st year, remove only broken, dead, diseased, dying, crossed, rubbing, and otherwise objectionable branches. 8. In the 2nd year, begin a regular program of pruning a tree to "train" its form and preserve it's health and structural integrity. a. Remove dead, dying, diseased, crossed, rubbing, or broken branches. b. Select a central leader. Subordinate over several years and then remove co-dominant limbs. c. Select the lowest permanent branch. d. Select the main scaffold limbs. e. Subordinate temporary branches over several years and then remove. 9. Trees can be pruned at any time of year if absolutely necessary to correct a hazard situation or to remove deadwood. 10. The best times to prune trees are in the dormant season (winter), or in mid summer after leaf expansion has occurred and growth has slowed.