Whether it’s the result of storm damage, unhealthy trees or improper cutting, falling tree limbs can damage property or injure or kill those standing in the wrong place at the wrong time — often giving them no warning or time to get out of the way.
With tree limbs posing a threat to lives and safety, and capable of creating property damage insurance claims and work, city and town governments need to pay attention to the routine maintenance of publicly owned trees. Publicly owned trees like those in a park or positioned along downtown sidewalks should be properly maintained to keep them healthy, safe, and capable of providing shade and property appeal.
Good tree maintenance begins with regular inspections to determine if a tree needs pruning, mulching, fertilizing, irrigation or pest management. While pruning can reduce the weight that might make a branch likely to fail and fall on someone, it also brings challenges, such as making sure that workers apply cuts in a way that keeps the tree balanced and viable. It also brings plenty of safety challenges — everything from workers falling from cranes or trees to being struck by falling trees or electrocuted during accidental contact with an overhead powerline.
The American National Standards Institute and the International Society of Arboriculture publish tree pruning and safety standards, known as the ANSI A300 (Part 1) Pruning Standard. The standards are highly technical, providing diagrams of the order in which to apply specific cuts to a tree, making its removal as safe as possible while also minimizing harm to the tree.
Here are some general guidelines for keeping tree trimming safe:
Prune when trees are dormant.
Deciduous trees, or trees that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season, typically have a period of inactivity during the winter.
Hire only licensed tree care businesses and experienced professionals to prune and maintain trees.
Arborists and tree workers certified by the International Society of Arboriculture must pass a written test of basic arboricultural knowledge and
attend continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
Require personal protective equipment, or PPE, for any city workers assigned to tree trimming.
This includes safety glasses, a helmet, gloves and ear protection when the workers use power equipment. Workers operating chainsaws should
have proper training in their use, and should wear chainsaw chaps protecting their legs if working from the ground.
Always perform a hazard assessment of the work area before starting the work.
Do not allow trees to be “topped.”
Topping refers to removing the entire top of a tree, such as removing a portion of its trunk or primary branches. It significantly stresses the tree and leaves behind wounds that are prone to disease and decay, making the tree less safe and reducing its lifespan and aesthetic appeal.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration maintains numerous resources for understanding and guarding against the hazards of tree care work.