Improper pruning a threat to trees

Largo officials launch an awareness campaign to help save trees that are falling victim to poor trimming.

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 26, 2001

LARGO -- Dennis Reynolds can easily spot the signs of a dying or dead tree. But for other people, it apparently isn't that easy.

The arborist often finds himself having to explain to well-meaning homeowners or merchants how the tree they spent money to trim a while back is now in bad shape or even worse, dead.

"Their initial response is the tree's not dead," said the city employee.

Reynolds does not keep records of the dead trees he has seen, but he estimates it is as many as 80 -- mostly laurel oaks or pines -- the past 12 months.

He says improper pruning is the culprit, which actually is a violation of city codes. But instead of bringing tree owners before the city code enforcement board, the city has launched a public-awareness campaign.

City officials plan to insert notices in upcoming water bills that will detail how to find a qualified trimming specialist. They also have listed information on the city's Web site, www.largo.com. And city employees will write businesses and mobile home parks where most ailing trees have been found.

"What people think they are doing in making a safe tree causes more problems," said Reynolds.

Trimming more than one-quarter of a tree canopy is unhealthy, according to Reynolds. It exposes the tree to direct sunlight, which can permanently damage or even kill trees.

Another problem is cutting the leaves of a tree into the shape of what arborists refer to as a "lollipop." This is often done to oak trees, area arborists say.

"If you remove too much of the leaf canopy, which is the food supply of the tree, it is definitely going to be detrimental to the tree," said Jeff Boen, owner of Boen's Tree Service, a tree pruning and removal company in Clearwater.

Improper pruning exposes trees to diseases, Reynolds said, a code compliance officer for the city's community development department.

Reynolds said he started to notice the problem last summer. Some of the trees were trimmed by owners, he said. Others were done by alleged professionals.

The city was recently recognized as a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 12th year in a row. Tree City USA is a program that encourages communities to preserve its trees.

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