Tree pruning is performed by city tree maintenance staff, all of whom are certified tree workers or certified arborists. The current pruning program includes traffic sign and signal clearance, roadway elevation, palm tree pruning, downtown pruning, young tree formative pruning, and route pruning.
Tree and stump removals are typically performed by contractor. Lists are generated and assigned to the contractor on a quarterly basis.
Emergency tree removals are often handled by city crews. Trees are removed if they are dead, dying, diseased, structurally unsound or if they cause significant root damage to a private area like the Gold Coast.