FEATURE — St. George’s incredible urban forest is home to many wonderful trees that line our streets, providing value and beauty. These trees need to be properly pruned in order to reduce the long-term costs of tree maintenance.
Bad tree work, like tree topping, can cost thousands of dollars in future tree care. If the tree dies, the cost of removal can be an enormous expense.
To prevent tree damage, the International Society of Arborists has a professional certification for tree workers, showing that the tree worker has a good understanding of tree health, pruning standards and tree work safety. The city of St. George requires that any arborist that works on trees in the city right of way or on city trees be certified by the International Society of Arborists.
A certified arborist knows that an improperly pruned tree can lead to years of health issues, which can ultimately cause a tree to fail. When a tree is topped, or has the top incorrectly removed, it sends out epicormic shoots, or new branches without strong attachments. Without strong attachments to the trunk, these branches can eventually fall from the tree, leaving it with open wounds and unable to heal if the tree is infected with diseases.
Correctly pruned trees are cut close to the swollen area of wood at the base of the branch called the branch collar. When a cut is made just in front of the branch collar the wood is able to grow over the cut, allowing it to heal and prevent infection.
Reputable arborist companies will prune trees according to International Society of Arborists standards. However, there are many companies working in St. George that are neither qualified nor licensed to work on or in trees. If you or your business is solicited for tree work, verify that the company is licensed and bonded with International Society of Arborists. Make sure that the work being done to your tree is necessary and needed.
If you have any questions, please call our Parks Division at 435-627-4530, and one of our arborists can help you.
Written by SHANE MOORE. Moore is the director of the Parks and Community Services Department of the city of St. George. Email him at [email protected].