Ottawa’s trees are over-pruned, according to a Tree Board member. Vicki Stacy complained to the City Council this week, trees along LaSalle St. and Boyce Memorial Dr. were pruned too close and too high.
Stacy says no less than the top two-thirds of a tree should be the canopy—the part with leaves. Less than that and it can’t make as much use of sunlight to produce what it needs to stay alive and healthy. There are also ways to cut branches off that aren’t as damaging to the tree.
Mayor Dan Aussem says the city has an arborist, but Stacy wonders if the person is certified or just took a few classes. Aussem says the city consulted Morton Arboretum for tree care. Stacy doesn’t believe the arboretum would approve of what’s been done.
Someone carved into this tree’s trunk. Photo provided by Vicki Stacy.
Vicki Stacy says someone who saw over-pruning of trees hoped to avoid more and put up a sign that says, “Please don’t butcher us too!”