Ecoclub has raised serious concerns regarding the recent cutting of 40 trees in the Hydropark of Rivne, a practice that could lead to their death. Such drastic pruning does not adhere to European standards and harms green plantings. In response, the Ecoclub has lodged a complaint with the State Environmental Inspection of the Polissia Region, highlighting this violation.
In the context of climate change, rising temperatures, and altered precipitation patterns, it is crucial to preserve all mature trees in communities to ensure a comfortable climate in cities. Therefore, the Ecoclub calls for changing the regulations governing the maintenance of green spaces, abandoning harmful pruning methods that lead to the death of mature trees, and developing new regulations that meet European standards.
We reached out to Lyubov Kolosova, an expert from the Semena Oblomeya Fund, who explained why this kind of pruning is not only unhelpful but also harmful to trees.
Lyubov, can you explain why such a decision to prune trees contradicts European standards?
According to Ukrainian legislation, Order No. 105 (Order dated April 10, 2006), approved the Rules for Maintaining Green Spaces. These rules govern the care for urban greenery and define three types of tree pruning: sanitary, rejuvenating, and formative.
These regulations significantly differ from European standards. Ukrainian legislation allows for complete crown removal only in the case of rejuvenating pruning, and only for certain species of trees capable of withstanding it. Such pruning is permitted only when signs of crown or top drying are present, and in such cases, up to half of the branch length may be removed.
There is also severe rejuvenating pruning, which involves cutting skeletal branches to their base, leaving only the trunk. Such practices are strictly prohibited in European legislation because they cause critical damage to the tree, ultimately leading to its death or to it becoming hazardous. This process does not happen instantly—the tree may gradually weaken over 5 to 10 years. However, if it has thrived for 30 to 40 years and dies or becomes dangerous after aggressive pruning within 10 years, that is abnormal. Such actions result in significant financial losses for the municipal budget and deterioration of the city’s microclimate.
What are the current standards in Europe?
European standards for pruning mature trees specify that no more than 10% of the crown can be removed at one time. Therefore, complete crown removal of 100% completely contradicts these norms. Additionally, the size of the cuts should not exceed 10 cm for certain tree species and 5 cm for others. The complete removal of live branches with a diameter of 30–40 cm categorically contradicts these requirements and inflicts critical damage on the tree.
Can you predict what will happen to the pruned trees?
When such pruning occurs, as in Rivne, the tree is unable to grow back over the cut area because it lacks the mechanisms to do so. It experiences severe stress due to the loss of its entire crown and the capability for photosynthesis, which occurs through the leaves. In response, the tree begins to chaotically grow a new crown, but the cut area remains open.
Over time, fungi colonize it, and the process of wood decay begins. Since large branches are heavy and have weak attachments, they can break off. Often, such prunings are done repeatedly, for instance, under wires: they are cut once, then again, resulting in coarse branches not being restored, and only thin, weak shoots growing back. In the end, there are two possible outcomes: the tree becomes hazardous, with its branches potentially falling, or it gradually exhausts itself and dies.
What should proper pruning look like?
Proper pruning of mature trees involves the removal of dry, diseased, or conflicting branches. According to European standards, structural pruning is applied for them.
If an inspector discovers signs that suggest crown relief is necessary during an inspection, the removal of small branches is permitted, but no more than 10% of the crown. It is essential to follow these rules:
Phone: +38 (067) 363-62-26
E-mail: office@ecoclubrivne.org
If you have complaints or grievances: feedback@ecoclubrivne.org
Details read here: Ecoclubrivne