I just recently purchased a lot in Osteen Florida that has three large live oaks. I estimate they are at least 50 years old, the trunks are in excess of three feet in diameter. The trees have long branches touching the ground. I intend to build a house on the lot and am wondering if I can safely have the trees 'cleaned up' to improve there appearance and/or health? Will trimming some of the branches hurt the trees?

Very respectfully,

W. Riffle

"Cleaning up" (crown cleaning) can be useful and beneficial, as long as trees are not damaged by climbers spikes, improper cuts, etc. This kind of pruning consists of removing dead, broken, diseased/damaged, and weakly attached branches. Properly done, it does not include removal of all small interior branches, as some do. Avoidance of large pruning wounds is a worthy goal. If an overall tree thinning is done, there should be a limit to the amount of green material removed from the whole tree, as well as from each limb or branch. This limit is determined by the condition of the tree, but generally should not exceed about 20% in a single year. It may be considerably less if the tree is in decline.

With lot development often comes soil grade changes, trenching, mechanical damage, and compaction. Protecting the rooting area from these things can be very critical to preserving trees for the long run.

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