City of Stevens Point Forestry Department personnel are currently pruning street trees. The city maintains a four-year pruning cycle. That means that every tree in the right-of-way, usually trees located between the street and sidewalk, is pruned at least once every four years if needed.

The city is responsible for all work performed on the trees in the right-of-way. The pruning crew is trained in proper pruning techniques that follow industry standards. Trees are pruned when they are young to train them to maintain a strong central leader and sound branching structure. As trees grow, they are pruned to provide sixteen feet of clearance above the street, and eight feet above sidewalks. Dead, diseased, insect infested, crossing and rubbing limbs, and competing leaders are some of the things the crew is pruning out of the street trees.

Winter is an excellent time to prune trees. With the leaves off, it is easy to examine the branching structure of the tree. We ask city property owners to take a look at their privately-owned trees and see if they are maintaining proper clearance above the sidewalk and street. If a street sign, such as a stop sign, appears to be obstructed by leaves once they grow, homeowners should also prune to clear the obstructing branches. City personnel will take care of city-owned trees.

Winter is also the only time that some trees, such as Oaks, should pruned. If a property owner is thinking of pruning oak trees, or removing oak trees for a new home, now is the time it should be done. Oaks are susceptible to a disease called oak wilt which is nearly always fatal and is difficult to control once established. Try to avoid pruning, wounding, or removing oak trees primarily from April 15 to July 1, or to be more cautious, from April 1 to October 1. If pruning, wounding, or removal occurs between April 1 and October 1, it is important to immediately seal the wound or stump with an exterior paint. This will prevent the beetle that spreads the disease from introducing the disease to the open wound.

Get More Oak Wilt Information.

If you have any tree related questions, please feel free to contact the City Forester.

To contact Stevens Point Forestry
Phone: 346-1532
Fax: 346-1582

E-mail the City Forester

Office location:
Parks, Recreation & Forestry
2442 Sims Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481