BMC staff get tree trimming training

After facing criticism over unscientific trimming of trees, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) finally started a training for all its tree officers on how to trim them. The officers will be taught different methods on gauging a tree's health, it's hollowness, to check internal infections etc. The training will also teach the officers about the scientific methodologies on pruning to avoid imbalance of trees. The training will be held over the next 4-5 weekends.

Last year, four people died due to the falling of trees in the city. Tree activists and residents came heavy on BMC for carelessness in tree trimming. In all the four cases, the BMC officials had accepted that the trees were termed healthy only after a visual inspection.

"The focus is on identifying trees health and proper method on trimming trees" said Robert Fernandes, an horticulturist involved with the training.

A senior BMC's tree officer said, "Many a times the officers trim branches on road side and keep the ones toward the buildings on residents request. A heavy tree is imbalanced due to this. The training also involves convincing people on scientific importance on cutting and trimming branches on all the four sides. Although, visual inspections will continue, they will be guided for closer identification for check if any decay or disease to the stem which makes the tree hollow".

AXE EFFECT

• They will be taught different methods on gauging a tree’s health, it’s hollowness etc. 
   
• The scientific methodologies on pruning will be taught