Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 (Halifax, NS) – Street tree pruning will continue for the remainder of this week in the south end of the peninsula on Norwood and Garden streets.  The Urban Forest Master Plan outlines the value in being proactive with street tree pruning activities. Damage to street trees – as well as nearby utility lines – can be avoided with more regular cycles of tree pruning, rather than simply reacting on an “as needed” basis whenever there’s a problem. Regular pruning can also extend the life and improve the canopy of street trees. Tree pruning is expected to conclude on Norwood (between Oxford and Preston streets) on Friday and then crews will move to Garden Street (between Shirley Street and Jubilee Road) and continue work there into next week. Both Norwood and Garden streets will be open to traffic, however there will be temporary lane closures and no-parking signs in place while pruning takes place. Tow-away signs will be installed on Norwood Street today and will be in effect beginning tomorrow. Pedestrians may also experience delays due to temporary sidewalk closures. Motorists are reminded to reduce speed when entering the work area. Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes due to the potential for delays. Crews are on the home stretch with this winter’s tree pruning program. Nineteen streets have seen proactive tree pruning completed, with 11 streets left to work on over the next six weeks. For a list of remaining streets and the work timelines, please go to the municipality’s Urban Forest Master Plan website. There has been a bit of a setback in some of the tree pruning work due to the ice storm emergency in New Brunswick. One of the contracted crews that had been working for the municipality is currently helping with the response in New Brunswick. The municipality apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this tree-pruning project may cause. Source: Release