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NNW : TREE CITY USA • pruning Is A �ta A u Forestry A survey conducted by the American Forestry forestry program. In every way, your community will gain Association (AFA) showed that many of the nation's urban from making early pruning a part of the urban forestry forests are in serious trouble. To stem the decline of shade program. trees, more and more communities are engaging in Within a tree maintenance program, urban foresters vigorous planting programs. The magnitude of this effort and arborists have suggested that the following steps be may vary from a few dozen park trees in small towns to the included: annual planting of thousands of trees in large cities. In all 1. Minimum pruning immediately after transplanting; cases, the investment is significant. AFA's Gary Moll within 3 years, pruning for strength and form; and suggested that 20 percent of an urban forestry budget every 3 years thereafter pruning to "lift" the canopy should be directed at planting and early care. of street trees (usually to 8 feet above sidewalks and It follows that the early care of new trees is one of a 14 feet above residential streets). community's best ways to maximize its investment in 2. Providing initial training and annual refresher planting. Systematic pruning of trees during the first training for crews doing the pruning. Caution: Crews several years of growth should be an integral part of that regularly prune older trees tend to overprune the program. young trees. A basic mission of the Tree City USA program is to 3. Stressing tool sharpness and, if necessary encourage ongoing shade tree care. Early pruning is part of disinfective methods. the care necessary for strong, healthy, beautiful trees. Of 4. Developing an inventory which is kept up to date the four standards shown on the back page of this bulletin, with all maintenance operations including pruning, time spent pruning young trees would contribute to with future needs being noted. Standard 3 as a portion of the comprehensive community 5. Monitoring on an annual basis. For The Best Start, Start in the Nursery A good tree management program begins with places, you will want trees with a fairly substantial caliper selecting good trees. When choosing trees for city even if they are initially more expensive. Some things to plantings along streets and in parks and other public look for: Bare root tree: Strong well-developed leader for Abundant root growth, tuberous and numerous small roots. Good ✓ leaders, in a multiple- leader tree). color, moist. Balled & Burlapped tree: 1 .........---• Bright, healthy bait. Firm soil ball with trunk securely tied. Do not accept a plant with a broken Healthy Trunk 6L. limbs free of insect or "ball ". Do not accept a tree with a circling root at the base of the trunk. buds mechanical injury. Always carry B&B plants by the soil ball. not by the trunk, stems or \ branches. Branches well distributed around Container grown tree: L-' / trunk, considerably smaller cal - Avoid trees that are "root-bound" in the can. Roots that circle around the iper than trunk. edge of the container may become circling roots. Because of this, B&B trees Ideal s uacin between branches. are generally preferred. Always remove can. basket or pot when planting. 1 1 g (Cut any circling roots when planting.) at least 8 -12• for most species. Good trunk taper For some street plantings, such as next to narrow sidewalks, it may be necessary to plant trees that \� - Wide angle crotches for strength. immediately have high crowns. In this case, the height of � 1 ter ,, but branches — they develop are taper; tempo- - the lowest limbs should be specified when ordering from mote trunk caliper growth, and the nursery. However, whether raising the crown during prevent sun damage. the years after planting, or as the trees are grown in the nursery, it is generally important to maintain a ratio of 2 /3 green top to ' /3 pruned trunk. .1 Tree boards should be wary buyers. Carefully .-- write specifications and be sure an expert inspects the il ,' i, trees before accepting delivery on behalf of the city. 1 , After a good start with good nursery stock, remember — a program of pruning young trees is a wise, long -term ■ .4 f investment. 1 TREE CITY USA BULLETIN No. 1 • National Arbor Dav Foundation • 7