Ukrainians urged to save trees from barbaric crown pruning: what is the danger

Ukrainians urged to save trees from barbaric crown pruning: what is the danger
Katerina Belousova

Some trees cannot withstand crowning and die immediately, while others grow a new emergency crown

Ukrainians have been urged to join in saving trees from crown trimming, or topping, during which all branches are cut off, leaving only the trunk.

This popular treatment causes trees to become dangerous and usually die quickly, according to the Urban Development Institute on Facebook.

To save trees from this barbaric practice, Ukrainians are advised:

  • make sure that the tree does not grow on private territory, because the owner has the right to do whatever he wants with it;
  • capture the crop on a photo and video and call the police;
  • contact the State Environmental Inspection regarding already destroyed trees. Eco-inspectors should impose a fine on the violator and contact the law enforcement officers. You can also write a statement to the police yourself;
  • apply to communal bodies that carry out improvement inspections, for example to the "Municipal Guard".

"However, such pruning can be classified as rejuvenating by the performers themselves or even by inspectors. According to modern crown care practices, such pruning does not exist, but it can be found in our legislation – in particular, this concept is described in the "Rules for maintaining green spaces in the cities of Ukraine" (Order No. 105)," the message said.

However, the "Institute of Urban Development" added that the legislation allows rejuvenating pruning only if the crown dries up within several years. In addition, it can only be applied to certain types of trees.

"The process of fighting for trees is often difficult and not instant," the message warned.

It is noted that some trees cannot withstand crowning and immediately die, while others grow a new crown. However, new branches have poor attachment and can be broken by even a moderate wind. Without a crown, a tree loses its leaves, and therefore the ability to produce nutrients for itself in the process of photosynthesis. In addition, through a large cut, fungi and bacteria enter the plant body and the tree begins to turn into ashes.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Kharkiv eco-inspectors imposed a fine on the person in charge of the communal enterprise "Blagoustrii" for crowning trees, i.e. pruning "under the trunk", on Kashirska Street.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, Kharkiv eco-activist Iryna Kravchenko showed a photo of how trees after crowning die in a few years.

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