Pruning and felling of trees in urban areas

Valencià | Castellano | English

We, the members of the Alliance for Climate Emergency, would like those responsible for managing our urban trees to coordinate better and treat them with the respect they deserve.

Pruning is necessary for many reasons:

  • Improving the tree's structure
  • Stimulating its growth
  • Preventing damage to infrastructure or wiring
  • Concealing traffic signs
  • Health reasons

With this in mind, it is important to point out that pruning a fruit tree is not the same as pruning an urban tree; and that incorrect pruning causes more damage and leaves the tree more vulnerable than not pruning it at all.

Here is a very interesting article about urban pruning:

11 Razones contra las podas salvajes

  1. We would like to avoid pruning urban trees during bird nesting season. They already have enough problems adapting to the climate crisis and the excessive number of predators. Let's not make it harder for them.
  2. Pruning should not be carried out at times of the year when trees suffer from excessive heat and lack of water, when they are vulnerable.
  3. Each tree species requires a different type of pruning, or no pruning at all if it is not necessary. We find it curious to see specimens of different species mutilated in the same way.
  4. In some municipalities, the gardening department only carries out pruning when residents request it. This means that there is no annual selective pruning strategy tailored to the needs of the species. Trees are not street furniture and should not be treated as such.

On this page, you can download a short guide with the European Tree Pruning Standard for those interested in the topic.

11 Razones contra las Pruning salvajes (resumen del artículo)

  1. Rapid, massive, and disorderly sprouting of suckers instead of well-established, strong branches.
  2. Unstable and poorly attached branches.
  3. Overall weakening of the tree.
  4. Topping and pruning are the leading cause of death in urban trees.
  5. Rot and infection in cuts.
  6. Accelerated aging process.
  7. Overgrown and poorly oxygenated canopies.
  8. Distortion of the natural crown shape.
  9. Difficult and costly to restore.
  10. Harm to local birdlife.
  11. Topping, along with pruning, is the most expensive pruning method.

Better pruning and felling practices, please.

In this section, we will be collecting examples of photos taken in our communities that demonstrate the need to improve the overall strategy and training of those responsible for pruning in our communities.

Here you can also read a guide on Podas que benefician a los árboles urbanos. 

Empty tree pit

We often see this while walking through our streets.

It's a missed opportunity to provide a home for a tree that would help us with its shade and its wonderful ability to clean the air.
An empty tree pit means higher temperatures in the summer and dirtier air.

How many empty tree pits are there near your house?

A tree takes time to adapt and grow. Let's fill our streets with life and provide shelter for everyone.

Let's demand a tree in every tree pit immediately.

Mutilated trees

Cutting off all the branches of a tree weakens its structure, leading to death by starvation as it can no longer photosynthesize and nourish its roots, and increasing the risk of diseases and pests. Furthermore, it eliminates habitats for local wildlife and disrupts the stability of the ecosystem


If a tree is cut down, resources should be dedicated to removing it from its roots and planting a new one as soon as possible that is compatible with the needs of that particular street.



Cables and branches

Traditionally, branches that obstruct overhead power lines have been indiscriminately pruned. The canopy is cut almost vertically up to a certain distance from the wiring, and many branches are left half-cut, which rot over time. Thus, in two or three years, instead of a healthy tree and unobstructed power lines, we end up with trees that become hazards to the community.

Clean cuts should be made to reduce the entry of pathogens, avoid damaging the surrounding green wood when removing dead branches, and understand that trees do not regenerate tissue like animals.