Tree pruning planned for four Burlington neighbourhoods
Published May 27, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Pruning season has started in Burlington to help keep trees healthy and under control.
Trees are pruned to remove weak, dead or diseased limbs and to create a canopy over streets and sidewalks so pedestrians, cars and service vehicles can go under the trees without damaging them. According to the City, pruning is a proven practice to help grow strong, healthy, beautiful trees.
The pruning also provides other benefits such as allowing emergency response vehicles to move easily around the streets. As well, it makes sure there are clear sight lines around intersections and driveways and allows traffic signs to be more visible for everyone’s safety.
“A properly pruned tree has a better chance of making it through a storm and other significant weather events,” according to the City. “Fewer broken tree limbs and trees means more trees stay in the ground and off the ground.”
The City works with certified arborists to prune municipal trees. These experts follow the City’s approved tree pruning standards and the International Society of Arboriculture best practices.
This pruning cycle is based on tree characteristics and external factors such as insects, weather or disease.
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“The pruning cycle is primarily based on the characteristics of trees and the fact they are living organisms and their health can be affected by many external factors,” according to the City. “One of the primary objectives of the grid pruning program is to mitigate any potential hazards within a tree, such as large deadwood and any obvious weakened and/or diseased limbs. Clearance pruning over sidewalks and roadways, where applicable, will be performed to allow for unimpeded pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Where required, low limbs from private trees encroaching over sidewalks or roadways will also be pruned back to allow for safe passage.”
This year, four communities are being targeted:
- Palmer
- Headon Forest
- Mountainside
- Brant Hills
Questions about the City’s Street Tree Pruning Program can be sent to [email protected].
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