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Show City Parks-Streets Dead Tree Limbs pose Hazard I would like to focus attention at-tention on tree hazards which exist in our city park and along the city streets. The tree hazards which I speak of are the large dead limbs, and trees, which can be found in abundance in Cedar City. In this, a typically windy area, human injury as well as property damage can become a famUiar , ... occurrence from falling dead limbs, or the more potentially hazardous dead trees. Numerous examples of potential hazards could be listed, many of which can be found in children play areas. Instead of documenting any of these tree hazards, it will only take, but a minute to look in the tree canopies of the street trees and city parks. There are other reasons why we should practice sanitation of our city trees. Broken and dead limbs provide access for 'decay producing fungi into the part of the tree where the branch is attached. Once this oc-currs oc-currs the rot will work its way to the heart wood or core of the tree stem, affecting af-fecting the health, vigor, and stability of the tree. Dr. Pascal Pirone in his text on Tree Maintenance writes, "Dead, split, and broken branches are a constant hazard to human life and to property. Danger from falling limbs is always greatest in trees along city streets and in public parks." There are many Forestry principles which we need to abide by. Just like the Forestry principles, we also have tree care practices which should be followed to obtain a healty well-shaped city tree. When you are pruning, be sure the time is available to do it properly. Follow good tree care and pruning practices. If you are not sure how to prune a large branch or not failiar with the common 'drop crotch' method, consult someone who does. By Glenn A. Beagle, Urban Forester-Fire Warden. |