MELP GUIDELINES ON THE PRUNING AND REMOVAL OF TREES
These guidelines are set to regulate further the local ethics on the pruning and the removal of trees including damages to trees after the application of L.N. 200 of 2011 regarding Trees and Woodland (Protection) Regulations and any existing directives issued or that will be issued by other Government bodies as regards pruning, and after applying established standards connected to the pruningtrade. Inspectors from the Monitoring Unit of the Malta Embellishment and Landscaping Project willdirect these guidelines.
REGULAR AND CORRECTIVE PRUNING
This work should be constituted of:
a)Topiary pruning – can only be carried out on tree species that are amenable to such maintenance procedures e.g. Ficus nitida. Such procedures should be carried out in early spring under the strict supervision of the Monitoring Unit.
b)Suckers growing along the lower branches and main trunk may be removed as soon as they are first observed.
c)Light corrective pruning – as require on any individual tree, which is not under protection, but always after flowering. For deciduous trees, any pruning must be carried out when the tree is dormant (November to February).
d)Moderate pruning – this may be done on Ficus nitida trees only and for valid reasons which should be approved by the Monitoring Unit. Other trees in this category must be approved by Monitoring Unit.
e)MELP should be consulted whenever pruning is done on protected trees.
f)Trimming/pruning of dead/dry branches can be done at any time of the year.
g)When pruning large limbs, a protective paint should be applied to the wound to preclude the introduction of pathogens.
h)All Palm tree fronds can only be pruned when the frond is dry or when they are obstructing traffic along roadways or passers by on pavement. However permission may be granted by the Monitoring Unit to prune palm trees at an angle of 160 degrees for fisheries reasons.
NON PRUNABLE TREES
These include all protected trees under LN 200 of 2011, however permission will be granted to remove dead and dry under growth. Further pruning work is controlled by the same LN and is restricted to management and surgical intervention performed by the Department for the Protection of the Environment or by the Department of Agriculture or by persons authorised by these departments.
COPPICING/TOPPING OF TREES
This practice should not be considered since it makes trees prone to insect and disease problems as well as storm damage. It also violates the most commonly accepted methods of proper pruning. However in extreme cases, permission may be granted where there is no other option possible or trees are meant to be turned into topiaries. In these cases work should be approved and done under the professional surveillance of the MELP officers.
HEAVY PRUNING
Properly maintained trees should never need a heavy prune, except in emergency situations. Therefore, the policy of the authorities is to ensure that all trees in public areas are well-maintained to retain their vigour and shape thereby precluding the need of any heavy or corrective pruning. However if heavy pruning is needed, work should proceed as follows:
a)Work should be approved by the Monitoring Unit
b)Trees should not be denuded completely
c)Trees cannot be shaped in such a way as to render the tree insignificant.
d)The shaping of trees is expensive to apply and maintain, and will not be done if adequate funding isnot available
e)Consideration should be given to the embellishment outcome
f)Consideration should be given to biodiversity such as bird nesting and roosting
UPROOTING
Permission for the uprooting is only given in exceptional circumstances as follows
a)Trees in danger of collapsing due to e.g. dieback symptoms, internal decay
b)Trees that are diseased is such a way that no surgical intervention can save them
c)Trees damaging property (that was build before the tree was planted) or as certified by two (2) architects, one representing the Monitoring Unit and the other representing the claimant
d)Trees that have died
e)Trees that that can be transplanted and funds are available for this work
f)Trees that become involved in national projects such as construction/reconstruction of roads and cannot be incorporated in the new project, without any prejudice to the approval of the proposed projects
g)Damaged or collapsed trees by natural or unnatural elements and that cannot be saved
h)Trees having exceptional cases and certified by MELP inspectors and approved by the Director of Agriculture as per legal notice above
i)Changing of species to ameliorate landscaping. This should have the approvalof the Monitoring Unit and backed by adequate funds.
Many trees such as Ficus, olives and palms can be easily saved by transplanting. In cases where trees cannot be saved, the applicant must pay as per table below.
DAMAGED TREES
Any charges regarding damage to trees should be calculated as follows:
This should be calculated on the value of any intervention that needs to be done on the plant/tree and on the chances of the plant/tree survival A minimum charge of €50 should be issued for any marks visible following an incident but should not exceed the rates of destruction below.
Destruction of tree/plant
a)Up to one year old planted trees/shrubs equivalent to planting cost i.e. price of labour and cost of plant but not less than € 50
b)One year and over, amount as per (a) times the number of years division by two up to maximum charge
c)Maximum prices for shrubs is € 200
d)Maximum prices for matured trees
(i)trees over 20years - €500
(ii)trees over 30years - €900
(iii)trees over 40years - €1,300
(iv)trees over 50years - €1,700
DAMAGE TO TREES BY EXCAVATION/TRENCHING
Any excavation and trenching work in or close to landscaped areas or close to an individual tree/shrub should be certified by the Monitoring Unit. This kind of work should not take place closer than two metres, or more as per case, away from the tree/shrub. The above charges will be applicable for any breach in this regard.