Tree Pruning Review Materials Approved by Commission

MOSCOW – A draft review of tree pruning best practices for licensed contractors hired by the city was approved unanimously by the Moscow Tree Commission at its regular meeting Tuesday. The final document will be polished and made available on Moscow’s Community Forestry website at https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/236/Community-Forestry. 

The city recommends contractors review the materials yearly in order to align with practices specified by industry standards and the city of Moscow. 

In other business, the commission:

* Chose the buckhorn cascara shrub to replace red flowering currant at its spring 2027 Arbor Day seedling giveaway at the Moscow Farmers Market; the nursery could not obtain seeds for the currant.

* Briefly discussed hosting a table for making “Tree Cookies” at the Dec. 13 Winter Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., in the 1912 Center. Participants will create unique patterns and lasting ornaments by gluing nuts and seeds onto thin slices of tree limbs. 

The board has hosted the free, drop-in workshop for ages 7 and older (younger with accompanying adult) the past few years as part of its charge to engage with the public and promote trees and planting.  

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Tree Commission will be 5 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2026, in the first-floor Mayor’s Conference Room of City Hall, 206 E. Third St.