City trees getting a trim

Feb. 24, 2007
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon@fredericknewspost.com

   FREDERICK — Trees are more than oxygen factories that offer shade. They also help build community pride, improve public image and attract business, according to The National Arbor Day Foundation.
     That's why city arborist Tom Rippeon put together a list of more than 800 trees to prune through next year. More streets and parks may be added during the year for preven tive tree maintenance.
     His efforts have helped Frederick earn recognition in the Tree City USA program and win several Tree City USA Growth Awards.
     The National Arbor Day Foundation sponsors the Tree City USA program, which provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities.
     Maintenance pruning helps improve tree health and structure and often focuses on preventing hazards, such as falling limbs, damaging buildings and tangling power lines.
     Pruning includes removal of deadwood greater than 2 inches in diameter, raising branch height, clearing street lights and utility wires and clearing crossing or broken branches.
     The trimming will make sure branches are at least 15 feet over streets, 9 feet over sidewalks and 3 feet away from buildings.