Proper tree maintenance is often at the bottom of the priority list for expenditures on most churches’ properties. But maintenance should not be ignored for a multitude of reasons.
Reasons Tree Maintenance is Ignored
If you are on the deacon’s board or board of trustees for your church, then you are very familiar with reasons that tree maintenance is often deferred, or even ignored.
The operating budget for church facilities is often very limited. The necessities are funded first, such as utilities and critical repairs. When there are expensive upgrades to be made to the property that have not been budgeted, the church will often hold a fundraising for that special assessment.
Tree maintenance is often not considered a critical item, considering all of the other needs of the church. The board and parishioners tend to feel that “if a tree has been standing for this long, then it will be healthy and stand for at least another year.”
Reasons Tree Maintenance Should Not Be Ignored
The reasons can be divided into two groups: structural and safety, and spiritual.
In terms of structural and safety, an unhealthy tree poses serious safety risks. Limbs can break, or an entire tree can fall. Either of these can pose a risk to the congregation and the church building itself.
According to tree service experts, regular trimming and pruning of trees promotes the health of a tree. It will ensure that unhealthy branches no longer pose a risk of falling, and the entire health of the tree is improved because nutrients can focus on the remaining healthy branches.
Also, trees that are dying need to be removed before they fall on their own. A tree removal specialist will ensure that the tree is safely cut down to prevent damage to any nearby structures.
Spiritually, the entire church property is a sacred space, not just the interior of the church itself. The grounds need to be kept in a condition that complements the church structure. Properly pruned trees will allow them to bloom beautifully, be healthy, and ensure that the trees remain living on the property for much longer. The life of a tree enhances the connection to spirituality of the church.
Maintain Your Church’s Trees
Although trees maintenance is easy to defer, proper maintenance is important for the safety and spirituality of the church structures, the congregation, and the life of the church grounds.