Trimming tips for public tree crews

I immensely enjoyed Emily Green’s article [“Planting the Future, One Tree at a Time,” Nov. 23]. It was the best-written and most informative article in the L.A. Times that I can remember.

One thing, Ms. Green. Tree trimming is an art that not only enhances the beauty of the specimen, but also lengthens its life. City and county tree trimmers do not trim correctly. The correct way to trim a tree is to thin from the inside, only removing nonleafing branches from the crown and extremities. The city and county crews do just the opposite: They trim the extremities and crown and never touch the inside, which then gets too full and prevents light and air from penetrating.

You seem to be able to talk with the responsible public servants, so maybe you can add this enhancement to the Million Trees LA project. Let’s keep what we have as long as possible.

HAROLD J. TOMIN

Los Angeles