As an indispensable part of urban road greening, street trees are undoubtedly a unique landscape of the urban landscape. Their charm is not only reflected in the fact that they provide comfortable shelter for citizens, but also that they have a variety of ecological benefits such as improving the urban environment, cleaning the air, and reducing noise. In order to maintain the healthy growth of each street tree, regular pruning and shaping work is crucial. The purpose of this article is to elaborate on how to scientifically prune and morphoform street branches.
First of all, we need to get the right time for pruning. Spring or autumn are the best times for street tree pruning, as they coincide with the most vigorous growth of trees. Whether it's the growing season in the spring or the dormant period in the fall, pruning can help the street trees recover quickly and enter a vigorous growth state in a short period of time. In particular, spring happens to be the season of tree life, and pruning helps to speed up the repair and growth process of the tree. On the other hand, after the decomposition and accumulation in the fall, the trees will be able to concentrate on surviving the cold winter and preparing them for growth in the coming year.
Secondly, the height of the pruning is also very particular. The optimal pruning height for most street trees is between 2 and 3 meters above the ground. The specific pruning height needs to be fine-tuned according to the species of each tree and the road conditions. For high-rise street trees, the appropriate pruning height is usually 2 to 3 meters, which can ensure the beauty of the canopy without affecting the ventilation and light of the trees. As for shrub-type street trees, just prune them to 0 above the ground5 to 1 meter is enough to maintain the overall height and grace of the tree. It is worth noting that the pruning height must not be too high or too low, otherwise it will weaken the air permeability and lighting of the tree, thus affecting its growth and aesthetics.
In addition, we need to take seriously those branches that are too strong – long branches and diseased branches that are infested by pests and diseases. These branches consume too much of the tree's nutrients and disturb the aesthetics of the tree's shape. Not only that, but they often impede road transparency and cause inconvenience to pedestrians and vehicles. Therefore, it must be cut mercilessly. Among them, long branches refer to those branches that grow too quickly, these branches often exceed the external form of the canopy, which is not only unsightly, but also consumes most of the nutrients, which is not conducive to the healthy growth of the tree. Diseased branches are those branches that have been eroded by pests and diseases, and often show symptoms such as wilting, yellowing, and falling off. This destructive branch not only affects the beauty of the tree, but also provides an opportunity for the spread of pests and diseases.
In addition, we also need to take appropriate measures to comb the parts that are too close between the branches, also known as over-dense branches. Overcrowded branches will affect the ventilation and light transmission of the tree, affect the normal progress of photosynthesis, and then affect the growth and appearance of the tree. By thinning at the right time, we can improve the light transmission conditions of the trees, promote the efficiency of photosynthesis, and also reduce unnecessary nutrient consumption.
Finally, whether it is the dense inner branches of the tree, the drooping branches that droop down to the road surface, or the broken flowers after flowering, we should cut them off one by one to maintain the overall appearance of the street tree and the safety of pedestrians. For inner branches, they are often exposed to sunlight for long periods of time and have difficulty breathing, which often increases the incidence of pests and diseases. In contrast, drooping branches cover the road and reduce light permeability, which affects the ornamental value of street trees and even obstructs passing pedestrians and traffic. In addition, after a long period of exposure to the wind and sun, the withered and withered flowers obviously affect the visual beauty of the trees. Therefore, timely pruning of residual flowers can not only enhance the beauty of the street tree, but also prevent excessive nutrient consumption and promote the growth and health of the tree itself.
All in all, scientific pruning and good morphology of street branches can not only avoid the infestation of pests and diseases, but also improve the aesthetic value of street trees, so as to achieve a beautiful scene of urban greenery. However, for the different forms of street trees and their natural growth, we need to adapt to the local conditions and use various pruning techniques to make them look perfect and attractive.