Tree Pruning Training
Category:
Forestry
Boulevard trees are public property and their care is the responsibility of the City of Rochester. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains over 100,000 public trees, and pruning happens on a rotation.
Pruning street trees is crucial to their health as well as the safety of those living around them. Ensuring strong growth prevents limbs from failing, potentially resulting in damage or injury. A tree pruned young will set it up to have a better structure as it grows old. Upon successfully completing this course, you will understand the basic principles of making correct pruning cuts and other pruning objectives.
Completion of this course allows you to prune public tree limbs that are 2” and under. They should be removed if they affect your ability to use your yard, driveway, sidewalks or street parking spaces. Removing suckers at or near the base of the tree is homeowner's responsibility and is considered ordinary care in the Rochester Code of Ordinances.
The training and certification are now available online Tree Pruning 101. Participants who complete the three training modules will be awarded a Citizen Forester Certificate.
Updated 4/21/2026 9:27 AM