Alameda's Tree Pruning Program Shows Growth

Among the thousands of trees that line Alameda's streets, the City makes sure to prune them — the younger ones each year, and the older ones every five years — to ensure healthy growth.

Public Works Supervisor Todd Williams said five zones across town have been set up and city workers prune between 3,000 to 4,000 each year. 

Younger trees are pruned more often to correct structural defects early on, according to Williams. This prevents workers from making larger cuts later which can greatly damage the life of tree.

Trees are also pruned to reduce conflicts with traffic, buildings, traffic signs, power lines and other objects, Williams said. 

Over time, Williams said the city hopes to get rid of streets lined with all the same tree species, such as Central. This prevents all trees dying off in case a disease were to attack one. 

Next year, Williams said they will be scheduling zone 4 pruning which is from the east side of Broadway to the east side of East Shore.

Watch the video above to learn more about the city's pruning program along two different street: Park Street and Laurel Street.