As a tree trimmer’s comments in this thread demonstrate, we will get nowhere unless people (Landscapers, tree trimmers, etc.) can make a steady living without having to do harmful things to trees and ecosystems.
Besides the ecological aspect, a very important issue regarding occupational stability, is that the landscaping and tree trimming industry is one of the very few paths available to returning felons. This is something I feel very strongly about, we need to be able to offer meaningful livelihoods and a path back into society to people who have served their time.
As for my credentials, I am an ecological landscaper and land repair specialist for 20 years. Including not only thousands of hours of classroom training in permaculture design, rainwater harvesting, food forestry, urban revitalization and more, but also land-based apprenticeships in multiple bioregions. All entirely self-funded.
My original post (with photos of some of the worst mutilation I’ve ever seen) that prompted comment backlash from (predictably) a tree trimmer:
Before and after. Lush beautiful healthy palms, and now mutilated. Absolutely disgusting! Anyone who does this to a tree never deserves to touch a tree again. I would say they need their license removed but the licensing restrictions are so lax it’s moot. And anyone who allows this to be done to their trees is seriously not playing with a full deck. Notice what these mutilated sticks resemble — I call it flipping the bird at mother nature.
Respect trees or stop working with trees, period!!! Learn your job or find another line of work.