After a slow start, our winter street tree pruning is well underway on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

Every winter and summer, certified Citizen Pruner Partnership staff check all 270 street trees within the boundaries of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID.  Using professional tools (see bottom of page), we prune low and dead branches, properly shape growing trees, and clear foliage away from signs and lights, up to 15 high off the sidewalk.  So far this winter, we’ve pruned 36 trees.  Since 2011, we’ve pruned over 200 trees.

Winter is actually a great time to prune.  The lack of foliage allows for better visibility into the tree canopy.  And less foliage means less post-pruning clean-up.  Winter pruning tends to focus on tree structure whereas summer pruning tends to focus on clearing foliage from signs and lights.  Besides the semi-annual district-wide sweeps, we also prune damaged trees throughout the year, as needed.  Trees on commercial streets like Myrtle Avenue are more susceptible to damage from trucks and buses.

This season was special.  The New York City Parks Department (which has jurisdiction over street trees) performed professional “block pruning” on Myrtle Avenue street trees, from Flatbush to Clermont.  This only happens every 10 years or so.  Professionals have better equipment and can reach the top of the biggest trees.  The section of Myrtle east of Clermont is scheduled to be block pruned next year.

Street tree pruning is part of our Street Beautification program.

Tools of the Trade: Telescoping Pruning Saw Pruning Shears