Los Alamos County Parks Division reminds the community that tree pruning begins Monday, Sept. 25and will continue throughout the week at Ashley Pond Park and along Central Ave. Sidewalks may be closed to pedestrians at times for safety reasons.

Pruning is an important management measure that will extend trees’ health, safety, and life. There are many different pruning needs depending on the trees’ location, size, and growth habits. Pruning falls into the following categories:

–        Crown Cleaning: includes the removal of dead, diseased, obstructing, split, and/or broken branches that are 2 inches in diameter or greater. Limbs that are susceptible to failure from dense or heavy foliar masses should be thinned.

–        Crown Raising: includes the removal of lower tree branches to allow for safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians under the canopy of the tree. Limbs above sidewalks should be no lower than 8 feet. Limbs above the road should be no lower than 18 feet.

–        Crown Reduction: includes reducing the overall mass by thinning out the top and sides or just removing individual limbs of the tree. Reduction pruning is commonly associated with pruning away from buildings, structures, or overhead utility wires.

For more information about the project, please contact Wendy Parker at wendy.parker@lacnm.us or call 505-663-1771.