OVERHANGING trees are often regarded as an enhancement to the beauty, luxury, and comfort of homes and business places. they serve as rich sources of fruits as well as provide welcomed shade from the sun.

However, these extended limbs can become dangerous elements during a storm or hurricane.

It is for this reason that the Forestry Department has encouraged homeowners and business operators to prune trees before the active part of the hurricane season begins in September.

Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, projects that the 2017 season will be very active, with the formation of 11 to 17 tropical systems. Up to nine are expected to develop into hurricanes, with at least four likely to reach the dangerous category three strength or greater.

In light of these predictions, the Forestry Department wants homeowners and business operators to inspect trees around their properties to ensure they do not pose a threat, and to prune where deemed necessary.

Forest technician at the department, Deon Brown, said pruning will reduce the likelihood of limbs breaking and being tossed, given the erratic nature of strong winds accompanying a storm or hurricane.

“One of the impacts on trees in a hurricane is that it can topple over. So if the tree is in close proximity (to a building), you can lessen the damage by removing some of the branches, because sometimes they might get entangled in electric wires and could cause all kinds of problems,” she pointed out.

Brown, however, urged Jamaicans not to resort to willy-nilly hacking of trees, but rather to consult with qualified treecare professionals to ensure that proper pruning methods are employed.

She emphasised that incorrect methods can affect the overall health and lifespan of trees.

Brown advised that when pruning, care must be taken to protect the sections of trees where cuts or incisions have been made to avoid exposure to fungus or termite infestation — which could compromise it by causing decay, thereby rendering it vulnerable in extreme weather.

President of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association Humphrey Taylor, also underscored the importance of pruning trees and doing so properly.

While arguing that trees should not be planted close to buildings, he said where this is the case, pruning must, foremost, be a safety consideration.

Taylor acknowledges that some homeowners resist the idea of cutting trees because they think it may lose its beauty. However, he assured that “they will grow back”.