UCFS ANSI A300
Representative Update
and Introduction to the One-Booklet
A300 Tree Care Standards
T
he American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
A300 Tree Care Standards provide standard prac-
tices and specification writing guidelines for arborists,
urban foresters, horticulturists, landscape architects, and
contractors. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as
your UCFS representative on the A300 Committee.
In 2023, the Committee introduced the booklet consolidating
all ten clauses of the A300 Tree Care Standards, including
their glossaries; previously, they were in ten separate pub-
lications. Updates to the consolidated Tree Care Standards
will be made every five years per ANSI. If you haven't pur-
chased your copy yet, please do so from ISA; member
cost is $79.99 USD, non-member cost is $119.99 USD. A
digital version is available for purchase through TCIA.
Many people consider the standards the way to do work, but
the standards actually provide the framework for the specifica-
tions to be written to guide the work. The Standards and Best
Management Practices are used to write clear specifications.
One of the most frequently used specifications is for pruning.
It's not correct to say, "Prune to A300 Standards." The pruning
standard contains different systems for pruning, including pol-
larding and pleaching. When we give instructions to prune
to the standards, the worker can select the system and be
in compliance. Our specifications should be clear enough
that, if followed, result in the desired outcome. Pruning
specifications should contain the information at the right.
Tree Location – An abun-
dantly clear description of which
tree(s) are to be worked on.
Objective – Why are we touching/
pruning the tree? The objective should
be robust and guide the work, such as
"Provide 6 feet of clearance from roof
(traffic lane, traffic signal, or street
light)" or "Reduce the risk of branch
failure by reducing end weights and
branch loading, while retaining as
full and large a crown as possible."
Pruning System – What the tree will look
like when the work is completed. The
natural system should be specified to
maintain characteristic growth habit and
adaptations for most pruning treatments.
By Gordon Mann
Consulting Arborist, Mann Made Trees
ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards are
now consolidated into one booklet.
32 CityTREES
