Part 1

ANSI A300 (Part 1) - 2017 Pruning

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Part 1 Pruning addresses:

• Pruning objectives
• Pruning systems
• Pruning specifications
• Pruning cuts
• Pruning practices
• Palms and similar plants
• Pruning definitions

A300 Pruning standards recognize, but are not limited to, the following pruning objectives:

• Manage risk

• Manage health

• Develop structure, such as to: Improve branch and trunk architecture Promote or subordinate certain leaders, stems, or branches; Promote desirable branch spacing; Promote or discourage growth in a particular direction (directional pruning); Minimize future interference with traffic, lines of sight, or infrastructure, or other plants; Restore plants following damage; and/or, Rejuvenate shrubs.

• Provide clearance, such as to: Ensure safe and reliable utility services; Minimize current interference with traffic, lines of sight, infrastructure, or other plants; Raise crown(s) for movement of traffic or light penetration; Ensure lines-of-sight or desired views; Provide access to sites, buildings, or other structures; and/or, Comply with regulations.

• Manage size or shape

• Improve aesthetics

• Manage production of fruit, flowers, or other products

• Manage wildlife habitat

Advisory Notice:

Certain pruning practices are not acceptable and can injure trees:

• Topping: The reduction of a tree's size using heading cuts that shorten limbs or branches back to a predetermined crown limit.
• Lion's Tailing: The removal of an excessive number of inner, lateral branches from parent branches.
• Rooster-Tailing: The over-thinning of palms, usually by removing too many lower, live fronds.  

Part 1 Pruning Resources:

• Download the “How to Write Pruning Specifications”