boomzorg

Boomzorg is a term used in Dutch horticulture and urban forestry to describe the professional care and maintenance of trees. It covers activities intended to preserve tree health, ensure safety, and prolong life, especially in urban and peri-urban environments where trees intersect with people and infrastructure.

Core components include health assessments, pruning and crown management, structural support such as cabling or bracing for weak trees, soil management and root zone protection, fertilization, pest and disease monitoring, and the development of long-term care plans.

In urban settings, boomzorg emphasizes risk assessment to identify hazards and to decide whether trees should be retained, pruned, reinforced, or removed. Pruning is guided by safety and tree physiology to balance growth, vitality, and form.

The field draws on arboriculture, horticulture, ecology, and landscape planning, with professionals such as arborists and urban foresters applying standards and local regulations. Practices emphasize preventive care, proper rooting space, sound pruning cuts, and consideration of ecosystem services like shade, cooling, air quality, and biodiversity. Training and certification for practitioners vary by country but commonly rely on established arboriculture guidelines. Municipal programs, private landscaping, and conservation projects use boomzorg to maintain trees as assets rather than hazards.