Chapter 4: Pruning Guidelines
Section 1: Reasons for Pruning
Safety
Safety is always the first consideration in pruning and takes
precedence over all other considerations. Pruning for safety includes:
- maintaining required sight distances
- maintaining adequate clear zones on either side of and above the roadway
- removing low branches that may be hazardous to equipment operated on the right of way, such as mowers.
To Accommodate Utilities
Utility companies permitted to construct lines on the right
of way are allowed to maintain them accordingly, including vegetation
pruning. However, utility companies are required to follow the Texas
Department of Transportation’s Pruning Guidelines and observe recognized
tree surgery practices.
Health of the Vegetation
Dead or diseased branches should be removed to maintain the
health of the vegetation.
Aesthetic Considerations
Pruning may be done to enhance the appearance of trees and
ornamental plants, if it does not interfere with the health of the
vegetation.
Tree-Specific Reasons
shows several tree-specific reasons for pruning, including:
- to remove suckers
- to remove branches that are too close together or branches with weak crotches
- to remove dead or broken branches (dead or broken branches on oak species can attract sap beetles that spread Oak Wilt fungus)
- to remove water sprouts and branches that cross and rub one another.
Figure 4-1. Tree-specific reasons for pruning.
Figure 4-2. Proper and improper methods for pruning a crape myrtle.